FAITH THAT STILLS STORMS

“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” – Mark 4:39

Victorious Faith in Christ is the FAITH THAT STILLS STORMS: “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. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have NO FAITH?” (Mk.4:39-40). A storm is a strong, contrary, and prevailing wind that sweeps off anything on its trail, often destroying lives and livelihoods. As long as we are in this world, humanity is bound to experience storms. Even believers encounter storms at one time or the other. Such storms could include challenging circumstances in education, home, career, business, finance, and spiritual life.

The world is faced with the storm of a pandemic that’s sweeping through with incredible speed and mindboggling fatalities. What should we do when we encounter storms of life? There are two broad approaches to handling stormy situations – we either ACT or REACT. The third is non-approach – the escapist attitude – INACTION. You cannot wish the storm away.

Our Lord Jesus ACTED in FAITH while His disciples REACTED in FEAR. First, the Lord had a Vision and Mission before the journey began: to “cross over to the other side” (v.35). No opposition, however threatening, could abort this Vision or terminate the Mission. Second, this Man of Vision was at peace – “asleep on a pillow” – unmoved by the contrary winds or boisterous waves. The assurance of Faith was that there was an “other side” to reach: “For surely there is an end, and thine expectation shall not be cut off” (Pro.23:18, kjv). Walking in Faith guarantees that your expectation of reaching destination shall not be disappointed! Third, Faith arose and declared the Command of Dominion: “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” (v.39).

Actions of Faith bring results of Victory; while reactions of fear yield panic and near perishing or destruction. Despite the turbulence in the sea, Jesus was calm, resting and refreshing with the cool wind of the boisterous storm. Here, He teaches another great lesson: your faith will only work when you are at peace. Your firm faith in God is your anchor in stormy times: “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small” (Pro. 24:10). Reaction and inaction in stormy times make one a victim. As seen in the reaction of the disciples, they were agitated, afraid, and restless, even to the point of accusing the Master. The disciples shouted in fear: “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (v.38b). When a person lacks faith to confront the storm, he or she may become a victim of situation.

Beloved, God’s divine will is for you to stand in the face of the storm and win. Follow the Master’s model: (1) He rebuked the wind – the invisible force behind the visible storm; (2) He commanded the sea – the tangible manifestation – “Peace, be still”; and (3) He dealt with the atmosphere of unbelief among the disciples (v.40). But, there was a Foundation to this Manifestation of Dominion – the WORD: “and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was FOUNDED on the rock” (Mt. 7:25). God's Word is sufficient to build faith in you to silence storms and triumph over tempests. When your Faith is founded on the Word, storms will obey your command in Christ.

God calms the storm (Psa. 107:29). He protects His own from storms (Isa. 4:6). He is our refuge from storms (Isa. 25:4). He is mightier than any storm (Isa. 28:2). Have faith in Him that the storms shall pass; they will not last forever. Every storm will bow before you. Your faith will not fail in the face of any storm. Your expectation of reaching destination shall not be disappointed. Your journey in destiny shall not be aborted or terminated, in Jesus’ name.