Storms (Part 3) Jesus’ Response to Storms

In all things Jesus is our Master, Model and Mentor. In the last days, the spiritual storms of life will increase, not decrease. Neither position nor possessions will exempt people from the storms of the last days. Consider with me for a few minutes how Jesus responded to storms.

Jesus Slept Through A Storm (Mark 4:35-41). At Jesus’ word, late in the day, the disciples with Jesus, got in a boat and started across the water. Within a short time a very strong storm developed. The storm was so severe that the disciples feared for their very lives. What was Jesus’ response to the storm? Mark 4:38 says: “But He was in the stern asleep on a pillow”. Sleeping! Seriously? The disciples even asked Jesus, “Do you not care that we are perishing?” Jesus could be at rest in a storm because of what He knew. Jesus knew they would survive the storm for He had said: “Let us go to THE OTHER SIDE”. Like Jesus, in a storm, we must focus on what we know, not what we see, hear or feel. The severity of the storm doesn’t lessen the validity of God’s promises. What do we know even in a storm? We know that no weapon formed against us shall prosper. We know HE SAID, “Fear thou not for I am with thee”! We know HE SAID “Cast thy burden on the Lord and HE WILL sustain thee”. No wonder Jesus could be at rest in a storm... and so can you. Still or stormy, peace or problems, money or no money...TRUTH always triumphs over trouble.

Jesus Talked To The Storm. Mark 4:39 says, “Then He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Peace be still! And the wind ceased and there was a great calm”. Sometimes people of faith need to BE people of faith and, in faith, speak to their storm. I know that sounds crazy... but, when a storm is rocking your family, church or business, it calls for the man and woman of God to exercise “Crazy Faith”. When the winds of adversity are howling and those around you are in panic mode, somebody needs to (as Jesus did) speak to the storm and take authority over winds and waves.

Jesus Called Others To Walk In Faith. Typically, people either run to God or run from God in a storm. In Matthew 14:22-32 on a dark night, in the midst of a severe storm, Peter said, “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you ON the water”. Jesus responded: “COME”! Jesus always bids us to come to Him. It’s never easy to leave the crowd and step out in faith to draw closer to Jesus. Others may condemn and criticize such bold action... but, when Jesus calls, we MUST move toward Him. One person’s passion reveals another person’s apathy. Jesus challenged Peter to walk on what others drown in. God hasn’t called us to drown in addiction, depression, poverty or problems. A Word from God authorizes and enables us to become wave-walkers. Storms can’t stop wave-walkers.

Perhaps you are weary and worn from a storm that seemed to come out of nowhere, without reason or warning. We need not fear when our eyes are fixed on God and we hear and heed what He says. If you are in a storm, do as Peter did: step out in faith and draw closer to Jesus. Wave-Watcher....or Wave-Walker—which do you choose?