August 2000

[6 of 6]

“Master, don’t you care that we are perishing?”(Mk 4:38)

               Once, while the faith of the apostles was still very fragile and unperfected (Pre-Pentecostal), they were out on the sea as a great storm arose (perhaps like the “Perfect Storm” documented in a recent book and movie) which threatened to capsize their boat! Despite the fact that Jesus Christ lay peacefully asleep in the rear of the ship with His head on a pillow, they panicked and woke Him crying frantically, “Master, don’t you care that we are perishing?”(Mk 4:38) Hearing them, Jesus arose and rebuked (lit. “Forbade, turned back”) the wind, and said to the sea, “PEACE, BE STILL!” With that, “The wind immediately ceased and a great calm came over the sea”! Then His attention turned to His fledgling disciples, saying, “WHY ARE YOU SO FEARFUL? HOW IS IT THAT YOU HAVE NO FAITH?” This amazing episode fulfilled a Davidic prophecy (Ps107:23-32).

“Those who go down to the sea in ships and do business in the great waters have seen the Works of the Lord and His Wonders in the deep. His Word raises the stormy wind that lifts up the waves of the sea (so that their hearts) mount up to heaven then plunge again to the depths till all their courage has melted away by their plight!! Reeling to and fro, staggering as drunken men at their wit’s end, THEY CRY OUT TO GOD...and HE RESCUES THEM FROM THEIR DISTRESS BY HUSHING THE STORM TO A CALM (just as one lulls a frightened child to sleep) AND THE WAVES OF THE SEA BECAME STILL! Then the men were glad as the sea was calm again, and God took them to their desired haven! Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His Goodness and praise His Wonderful Works to the children of men!! Let them exalt Him in the congregations of the people and praise Him in the assembly of the elders”

                When Moses lifted His rod to part the waters of the great Red Sea he said, “FEAR NOT, STAND STILL, AND SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD...THE LORD SHALL FIGHT FOR YOU; SO HOLD YOUR PEACE!” (Ex 14:13-14) Ps 46:1-2 adds: “GOD (Alone) IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH, A VERY PRESENT HELP IN TIME OF TROUBLE; SO WE WILL NOT FEAR! EVEN IF THE EARTH BE REMOVED; OR MOUNTAINS BE MOVED INTO THE MIDST OF THE SEA SO THAT THE WATERS ROAR...AND THE MOUNTAINS SHAKE WITH THE SWELLING THEREOF... (nevertheless) BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD!!”
                Christ demonstrated Power over the raging elements of nature with three spoken Words but they were enough to convert the apostles’ gripping fear of a storm into the “Beginning of Wisdom” “FEAR OF THE LORD”! (Ps 11:10) If Kingdom Sons can exhibit no greater faith than their unconvinced brethren who still cling to their ships of religiosity, they should get back on their knees at the foot of Christ’s Cross! Who could look up into that blood-smeared, tear-stained face of the Good Shepherd and doubt His Loving Care for His sheep?! Only when our eyes are drawn away from that humbling Sight to the world that crucified Messiah, does our faith begin to waver!
                When a cataclysmic storm hit my life, and my fears rendered my faith all but dead, Jesus spoke to my heart saying, “I KNOW YOUR FAITH CANNOT BELIEVE GOD FOR THIS , BUT DO YOU BELIEVE “I” HAVE FAITH IN HIM FOR THIS? The question so stunned me, my reply was almost sardonic, “Of course, I believe that YOU have Faith in Him for all things!” Then He sweetly answered me, “THEN JUST HAVE FAITH IN MY FAITH!” BINGO! A new Light went on in my spirit! Of course, JESUS has perfect Faith in His Father, and He lives in me, so all I had to do from then on was “HAVE FAITH IN THE PERFECT FAITH OF CHRIST!”
               This changed my thinking forever just like the faith of the apostles changed forever after the Resurrection and outpouring of Christ’s Spirit at Pentecost. I pray my testimony may always be, “CAST ALL YOUR CARES UPON HIM, FOR HE (truly) CARES FOR YOU!” (1 Pe 5:7) Amen!