The Culture of Hope Founded on Faith

Peace, Be Still

Shortly after ordaining and empowering His twelve disciples, Jesus was traveling near and across the Sea of Galilee. At each stop, crowds quickly gathered to see Him, hear Him, and observe His miracles. However, on a trip across the sea to Gadara, He performed the only miracle recorded in the Gospel of Mark that does not involve healing, demonic deliverance, or raising from the dead. The miracle in Mark 4:35- 41, in the middle of a list of miracles performed on and around the Sea of Galilee and in full view of multitudes of people, has to do entirely with the forces of created nature. Instead of the many witnesses on land, the only witnesses of this miracle seem to be His disciples who were in the boat with Him:

“And the same day, when evening was come, He said unto them, ‘Let us pass over unto the other side.’ And when they had sent away the multitude, they took Him, even as He was, in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. There arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship so that it was now full. But He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow. And they awakened Him, and said unto him, ‘Master, carest thou not that we perish?’ And He arose and rebuked the wind, saying unto the sea, ‘Peace, be still.’ The wind ceased and there was a great calm. And He said unto them, ‘Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?’ And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, ‘What manner of man is this that even the wind and the sea obey Him?’

Jesus’ disciples were new to this life and had not yet fully grasped who He is. This demonstration of Jesus’ true identity as God, captured their attention and unequivocally increased their understanding of who they had agreed to serve in ways that no other miracle could. However, later in the list of miracles comes the resurrection of Jairus’ daughter.  “And they were astonished with a great astonishment” (Mark 5:42b) refers to both the parents of the girl and the three disciples that Jesus had invited to go with Him. Even though they had observed many miracles of healing and the power Jesus had even over the storm, the disciples still did not completely understand Who it was they were following.

As growing Christians, our storms are usually not physical wind-rain-thunder-and-lightning types of storms, although those might trigger our inner conflicts because of fear. Instead, our storms are private spiritual struggles as we wrestle with the dichotomy of our nature as the fallen sons of Adam and daughters of Eve, and our nature as the adopted children of God through Christ. “…If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17).

Is there a diagnosis of cancer you fear? Perhaps a quarrel with a loved one has built a seemingly insurmountable barrier between you? Or is it financial loss you fear? Often the resulting tempestuous encounters happen in the wee hours when the rest of the world around us appears asleep. And these are not necessarily demonic attacks, either; I frequently discover it is my resistance to God’s still, small voice that creates the storm that steals my peace and keeps me awake for hours.

Then comes joy in the morning (Ps. 30:5b) and the rest to our souls that eluded us while we resisted our Lord’s loving promptings. Even King David struggled with recognizing God’s presence, even when he didn’t feel like He was there:

“Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me, my heart within me is desolate.  I remember the days of old; I meditate on all your works; I muse on the work of your hands.  I stretch forth my hands unto You. My soul thirsts after You, as a thirsty land. Selah. Hear me speedily, O LORD, my spirit fails. Hide not your face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear your lovingkindness in the morning for in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk for I lift up my soul unto you. Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies. I flee unto You to hide me. (Ps. 143:4-9).

In response to Psalms 30:4 we find release from the chaos in our heads when we “Sing unto the LORD Oh you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness. For His anger endures but a moment. In His favor is life. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Ps. 30:4-5).

Master, the Tempest is Raging

Master, the Tempest is Raging
Master, the tempest is raging! The billows are tossing high!
The sky is o’er shadowed with blackness. No shelter or help is nigh.
Carest Thou not that we perish? How canst Thou lie asleep?
When each moment so madly is threatening a grave in the angry deep?

Refrain:
The winds and the waves shall obey Thy will, Peace, be still!
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea, or demons or men, or whatever it be,
No waters can swallow the ship where lies the Master of ocean and earth and skies;
They all shall sweetly obey thy will, Peace, be still! Peace, be still!
They all shall sweetly obey thy will, Peace, Peace, be still!

Master, with anguish of spirit I bow in my grief today;
The depths of my sad heart are troubled Oh, waken and save, I pray!
Torrents of sin and of anguish sweep o’er my sinking soul;
And I perish! I perish! Dear Master, Oh, hasten and take control.

Master, the terror is over. The elements sweetly rest.
Earth’s sun in the calm lake is mirrored and heaven’s within my breast.
Linger, O blessed Redeemer! Leave me alone no more.
And with joy I shall make the blessed harbor and rest on the blissful shore.

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