PEACE BE STILL

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And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, caress not thou that we perished?

And he arose and rebuke the wind, and said unto the sea, PEACE, BE STILL. And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” - Mark 4:36-40

I would like to stop here, Repeat these words with me 7x “THERE WAS A GREAT CALM”!

I had you repeat these words because I wanted you to allow these words to penetrate your thoughts as you breathe in them.

Now, As they journeyed to the other side, everything seem perfectly fine and peaceful. Just like the disciples, we too often times enjoy these peaceful moments with the Lord, when we can feel that he is wide awake and we get to enjoy his presence around us.

As you can see that it’s evident that Jesus was awake before the storm began. Jesus and his Disciples probably told a few jokes, reminiscing on the miracles that Jesus had done etc. And so the disciples were not worried or in fear because they would have witness many signs and wonders that Jesus hath done and knew that he was more than able to help them to arrive safely to their destination.

Another thing that can cause us to enjoy the Lord presence is when we get a word from the Lord which cause us to feel as though we are up on the mountain in return we dance, we sing, we speak in tongues as we rejoice in the LORD and share his goodness with others with compassion and enthusiasm because we feel him near us and we feel as though he has not forsaken us. But then we arrive upon some valleys and we look to the left and we can't feel him, we look to the right and we can't feel him, “where are you LORD?”

We asked and that's when all that hope and faith we had jump out the window.

Have you ever wonder why the storm choose to arise when Jesus was asleep and not while he was awake? I mean think about it.

The answer is simple because “In his presence there is fullness of joy and at his right hand there are pleasures forever more. -Psalms 16:11 Therefore, the very wind and sea must have known this (there is life in everything that God hath made) and honour his presence while he was awake..

And so, everything took a drastic turn when Jesus fell asleep. This is a perfect example of how satan operates. He waits on the right time to attacks us, when he see us at our weakness!

When Jesus fell asleep that's the moment the sea chose to arose and to cause a great storm.

Satan often times look for the right opportunity to strike when he realises that we are not able to feel the presence of God or when we are wavering in faith. One of the bible character that experienced this was Job, He experienced great horror through his sufferings mainly because he couldn't tell wether or not God was with him while he was facing that great storm.

Let’s get back to the text, The disciples then rush to Jesus and wake him. Ask a somewhat insulting question they said “Master, cares not thou that we perished?” In other words LORD, in the midst of this great storm you are sleeping, do you even care if we perish?

Friends, how many of us have said this to the LORD before? Sometimes the storm is so great that we feel as though God do not care wether or not this thing over power us. I am talking about the storms that are unbearable! The bible said it was so great the the water had came into the ship. The ship was suppose to be the safe place where the water should not enter into.

The moment they saw that the water has now come into that safe place they got scared because the only thing that was left is for them to start sinking. Have you faced great storms like this before? Storms that has forced waters in your safe place, in your marriage, in your workplace, in your home, in the midst of your children? and you have wondered where are you Lord? Do you even care if I perish? You have listened to all the sermons that there is, you have prayed and fast and to no avail. My friends whatever you do don’t lose hope because surely the Lord will awake and deliver speedily.

“And he arose” repeat these words “And he arose” and said “Peace, be still.”

When I first read this story what prompts me to speak on it was this part of the story.

And he arose and rebuke the wind, and said unto the sea, PEACE, BE STILL. And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

When Jesus said be still, the situation obeyed him yet he was displeased by the lack of actions from his disciples he said unto them “Why are ye so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” Why are you so afraid, where is your faith. Examine your actions, are you fearful that the water/storm might overthrow you or are you lacking faith in the God that is in the both with you? The disciples needed not to panic the way they did because what they were waiting on Jesus to do was within them and all they had to do was stand with boldness because he has already given them that power through faith. They had experience the power of God too many times to be so afraid. All they had to do was stand in that apostolic authority and speak to that wind and it would have obeyed them by their faith in believing.

Matthew 9: 29 says “And then he touched their eyes saying, according to your faith be it unto you”. There is another famous scripture that we know from the same Matthew 17:20 that says” if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, ye shall say unto the MOUNTAINS remove hence to yonder place and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” In other words if you, yes you command that storm to be still with faith and authority it must obey!

Can I just encourage you today that we don't need to panic and be afraid of any storm. I don't care how great it is or how many wind that drives it. Stand in the power that God has given us through faith. Look that storm straight in the eye and command it in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth saying Peace, Be Still and believe by faith that the storm is no more and it MUST obey.

Are you longing for a great calm? Now is the time to stand in boldness and stop trying to wake Jesus from the sleep that you think he is in (When in reality he doesn't sleep) Stop, asking questions like does the Lord care if you perish. He sent me to tell you he cares more than you could ever imagine and that he has already given the power to you.

Remember, “Greater is HE that is in you than he that is in the world.” - 1 John 4:4

Speak peace into your situation today!

PRAYER

Eternal Father, I know you are the peace speaker

and I know you by name.

When you say Peace Be Still Lord, they have to obey.

Lord give me that courage and boldness to tap into

my apostolic authority in your faithful promises of your Holy word.

Help me to always be still and know that you are God Almighty

And that your power is within if I just believe

In Jesus Christ name of Nazareth I pray, Amen.