Calming The Storm

CALMING THE STORM

 

This was the title of the devotional article in ODB this morning May 26, 2015. It was written by Marvin Williams and based on the story from

(Mark 4:35-41) about Jesus calming the storm that the disciples thought that they were going to drown in it, while Jesus slept in the back of the boat. In the NLT version we read "When Jesus woke up, He rebuked the wind and said to the waves 'Silence! Be Still'. Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm". All it took was 3 words from Jesus "Silence, Be Still", and the storm was over, and the surface of the lake was calm again. I think we can all learn a good lesson from this story. First of all they were following a command of Jesus "Let's cross to the other side of the lake", and apparently the sudden storm was caused by "the Enemy" of God and His children. We know this enemy by different names in scripture, such as Satan or the Devil, and he is always trying to oppose followers of Jesus, and prevent us from doing His commands. In this case he caused the sudden storm that brought great fear to the disciples, and they woke up Jesus who was calmly asleep in the back of the boat. Immediately Jesus knew who caused the storm and simply rebuked the wind that was causing the waves that threatened the boat with just 3 words "Silence! Be still!" This is a good example of the power that God has given to His Son Jesus.

 

As followers of Jesus today we have access to this same power, provided we are being obedient to His commands. The key is "obedience" to whatever the Holy Spirit shows us what we should do or say. It is very important that we be sure it is really the Spirit speaking to us and not some "Anti-Christ" spirit from the enemy. Paul the Apostle has a good word for us on this matter of hearing from God in (1 Thess 5:16-22) he says "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil". This is good advice for all of us who often hear prophecies from people we don't actually know very well. Just because they claim it is a word from God, it is still our responsibility to check it out with God's Word to make sure it lines up with the written Word of God. Failure to do this is often the cause of much error being introduced into the Body of Christ. That's why God had His Word written for our benefit, so let us be sure we use it!!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer                                                                                                                         27/05/15