Confident in His Love and Power and at Peace in the Storm

Read |Mark 4:35 - 41|

The storm that is the focus of Mark 4: 35 - 41 came, not at the start of the motley crew’s journey with Christ but, after they had walked with Him for awhile. Yet, we see in their responses that in many ways Jesus remained unknown to them. 
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Don’t You Care?
As the waves were filling the boat and fear filled them they asked, ‘“Teacher! Don’t you care that we’re going to die?”’ (Mark 4:38, CSB). They had walked with Jesus and not yet come to know that He did not only have great power, but was the one who cared deeply for them. So deeply that He numbered the very hairs of their heads and took note of their presence (the fact and holistic quality of their existence). (Luke 12:5 - 7). 

They had walked with Jesus, who never lost sight of His mission, and yet they were ignorant that He came to die on a tree on account of His great love for them. (John 3:16).

Beloved, when the storm comes or now that it is on the horizon, do you find yourself worried that maybe Jesus has forgotten you-maybe He has failed to care? I pray that today you will have a revelation of His great care and love for you. I pray that you might move from a mental assent to a heart conviction that Jesus really does care for and love you. 

On Sunday my pastor led our congregation in the singing of this childhood classic, “Jesus Loves Me this I Know” by Anna Bartlett Warner (1820 - 1915) and William Batchelder Bradbury (1816 - 1868). All the grown-ups sank deeply into its singing; closing their eyes and some even embracing themselves as they looked heavenward. It is a simple truth we can never hear, nor profess enough. Jesus does surely love us. Selah:

Who Then Is This?
We do not know from whence the storm came. What we do know for certain, is that the storm was furious enough to make the disciples (many of whom were fishermen), frightened for their lives. But, Jesus who knew the intentions and thoughts of all men also knew that the storm would accost them. (John 2:23-25). 
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Yet, Jesus is calm because He knows who He is. He knows that He is not only the Teacher, but God in the flesh. (Mark 4:38 and John 1:14). He knows that the wind and the waves know His Name and voice because it was His voice that spoke them into being at the start. (Genesis 1). And so He confidently speaks to the wind and the waves and says, ‘“Silence! Be still!”’ (Mark 4:39,CSB). At this demonstration of His power they respond: ‘“Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!”’ (Mark 4:41, CSB).

They had walked with Jesus who healed the sick and forgiven sins, yet they did not know He was all powerful. They did not know that in His great love He would apply this power on their behalves. They did not know that nature itself was actually subject to Him. 

The Bible tells us that no one can search the depths of God, except the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of God, which makes known to us the thoughts and the person of Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:11). Beyond the revelation of His Deity and righteousness, the Holy Spirit continues to help us grow in a knowledge and love of our Jesus. (John 14:26 and John 16:7-10). 

He breaks open our hearts and Scripture and interprets the seemingly mundane of life so that we can see the glory of God in the Son. Invite Him to make Jesus known to you in an even more intimate way. Invite Him to show you something you have not yet seen. Ask Him to help you treasure the revelation that you might experience transformation and a greater degree of abundant living as a consequence. (John 10:10 and Romans 12: 1 - 2).

Beloved, don’t be afraid of the storm. Be confident because your God loves you and is all powerful. Be confident because God is willing to apply His power on your behalf. Be still and know that He is God. (Psalm 46:10). Enter into quiet and rest in your soul with the help of Kari Jobe as she sings:

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Go Deeper

​As Be-Held Women we believe that true self-care is accomplished in a lifestyle of intimacy with Jesus Christ. We take care by drawing near to God through seeking and living the truth of God’s Word, by the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit. We are confident that in living the truth by His Holy Spirit we will be transformed into women who bear the image of Jesus Christ in spirit, soul and body-women who are empowered to bless many.  Dear Be-Held Woman, seeking, living and being transformed by the truth of God's Word, we offer you this Bible study guide to support you in your endeavors! Apply it to this week's Scripture readings.

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