Be Still

Mark 4:37-39 

“And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But He (Jesus) was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And He awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”

This violent storm was a norm for the sea of Galilee. As seasoned fisherman, Peter, James and John knew this and they new the times to avoid the sea. Jesus just told the disciples that they were going to the other side of the lake, and they knew His word was always true. As the storm began to rage, the disciples became fearful of the boat sinking and them drowning. They woke Jesus and asked the question that they should have never asked, “Do You not care.” Jesus always cares. Jesus stood up and said three words, “Peace, be still.” Immediately the wind and the sea obeyed. I believe that Jesus spoke these words and the storm obeyed Him but did the disciples hear those words for themselves. Jesus has control of the elements, but we choose when we give Him control. It sometimes becomes difficult to calm us if we do not submit our fears to Him.

The song “Sometimes He Calms the Storm” by Benton Kevin Stokes and Tony W. Wood beautifully communicate this truth:

Sometimes He calms the storm with a whispered “Peace, be still.”

He can settle any sea, But it doesn’t mean He will.

Sometimes He holds us close And lets the wind and waves go wild;

Sometimes He calms the storm, And other times He calms His child.

Prayer:

Lord, I submit my life to You. I need You Lord in stormy gales and in times of silence. I submit to You in the midnight and in the noon time. I submit my heart and my whole existence to You. Speak peace to me Lord. Amen!