“Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” (Mark 4:38, NLT)
I want to share a message about Relax, Your Boat Won’t Sink. Mark 4:35-41 has an interesting story about Jesus and His disciples. It is one of the many scriptures believers rely on in the face of storms. A point to note is that Storms of Life is inevitable and storm could be anything God allows or Satan throws at us as we journey in this life. Always remember that God wouldn’t allow it unless He has purpose for it.
- The Story
From the passage, Jesus told his disciples that “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake”. There was a starting point and a destination. They jumped on a boat with Jesus and started their journey. But soon a fierce storm came up. The scripture says “High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water” v37. In the natural, it was a deadly situation and the disciples probably thought that they were going to be consumed by the fierce storm. The interesting part of the story is that, in the midst of the fierce storm, “Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion” v38. The disciples trusted Jesus because they had seen miracles he had performed and believed that He had power that comes from above so they rushed to him shouting “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” v38. Jesus woke up and rebuked the wind and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”v40.
- The Lesson
You were not born into this world by accident. I know some women believe that they got pregnant by accident. But the fact that you didn’t plan for pregnancy doesn’t mean your child has no purpose. God kept that child till birth because he has plans for him/her.
God has a destination, a future, or an end for you. However, He doesn’t reveal to or tell His children how the journey would be. What he promises is that “I will be with you”.
In faith we are able to see the end from the beginning and we journey to the end by Faith.
From the passage, the same trend was seen as Jesus told his disciples “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake”. He told them where they were heading to but He didn’t not tell them what to expect along the way. So when the fierce storm came, it was a big surprise to the disciples. They believed in Jesus but when the storm came, they thought that it was the end of their lives. However, Jesus was sleeping because He knew that the storm wasn’t meant to destroy them. He knew that we can conquer every storm that comes our ways by Faith. He knew that God would see them to the end of their journey therefore he slept with his head on a cushion.
In the same way, God has promised you a future; that is your vision, dream, aspiration, etc. He placed them in you and equipped you for the task. Maybe God has given you a vision of being a successful entrepreneur, or He has told you about the industry within which you should operate But one thing he didn’t or hasn’t disclosed to you is about how the journey would be (that is the challenges or oppositions you would face, etc.)
God has promised his children good health, prosperous lives, happy marriages, fruit of the womb, etc. but he hasn’t revealed the hurdles his children have to cross in order to achieve those promises.
- Storms of life
The course of life isn’t a straight line. There are curves, valleys, hills, and potholes along the course. Or there are thunderstorms and/or turbulence along the course. Or there are high currents, waves, tides, and storms along the course. In effect, whichever way or form your course might be, there are obstacles or limitations that would appear to make you feel that your mission is impossible. Always remember that just as cars, airplanes, and ships are built to stand challenges on the road, air, and sea respectively, God has equipped you with everything you would need to defeat your storms. He has promised to be with you and to guide you along your course. Your boat won’t sink because He is right there with you.
Doctor’s report can’t drown your boat because there have been many testimonies about women whose womb had been removed yet they got pregnant. There have also been many testimonies about people who were told to go home and die but they are still alive today. Those who were diagnosed to be barren ended up given birth to twins and what experts could say was that it was beyond medical reasoning.
Note that human reasoning or knowledge or wisdom is finite so don’t be limited by what an expert thinks about your life, after all he/she isn’t your Maker.
Blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, tumors, stroke, etc can’t sink your boat because God is your Healer. The blood of Jesus has power to heal you today. Do you believe?
Related post: Storms of Life
Your current situation can’t drown your boat because the same God who took care of over 2 million people on wilderness for forty years is watching over you. He was their physician, provider, strength, and helped them fought and won their battles. If God could feed the elephant, would it be difficult for him to provide for the ant? If he could provide water for the Camel, would it be difficult for him to provide water for the squirrel?
God has power to multiply your resources and open a door that can transform your life forever. Do you believe? God set your course before you came to the womb therefore nothing you have been through came as a surprise to Him. He knows your future so nothing you would ever face would surprise Him. This means that you should trust, in the face of storms, that God’s purpose for your life shall come to pass and nothing can stop you.
“Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
Storms test your strength and reveal areas that need development.
In our Christian journey, they come to test our dependence or Faith in God. When we are not grounded in His word, or have not fully trusted Him to take care of us, we end up being afraid of the storms and ask the question; “don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” But if we are confident and hopeful and trust in God, we shift our focus to the Promise, the destination, or future and trust that God is more than able to take us to the end.
Related Post: Keep Calm, God is in Control
Be encouraged today that your boat won’t sink and your God given dreams, visions, and desires shall come to pass. Relax and Trust that storms you see today are mere limitations and God has equipped you with strength to defeat any obstacle that will come your way.
Confession: Be Still my soul, and know that He is God. I am relaxed and confident that my boat won’t sink. Jesus is my strength therefore I am victorious. I am a conqueror and a winner in Jesus’ Name. Amen
Uplifting Christ 