YOUR SPEECH IN THE STORM

Mark 4:35-41 records the story of the disciples waking up Jesus in their boat as it was being overtaken and swamped by a storm. The disciples were in a panic and angry with Jesus for fear of dying. Jesus stands up and rebukes the storm bringing instant calm.

Now they realize how foolish their anger must have sounded. It wasn’t the power of the sea that they needed to fear; it was Jesus. He deserved their respect more than the storm.

Often when we are anxious and afraid, we might question and doubt God. Is there another way for us to live? Can we learn to trust God in spite of the storm or the fiery furnace? Can we trust Jesus whether we get healed or not? Can we die with a brave heart?

What about people who lose faith and become the critics of God? Have you heard their angry tirades and proud speeches? There are people who have listened to the howl of chaos and picked up its accent. They speak knowingly and lovingly about their conclusions as if there were no higher truth. Their worship and service is to the created order and not to the Creator.

Maybe the same disciples that rebuked Jesus had previously sung the Psalms that declare God’s power over the sea.

Psalms 9:

⁸ Who is like you, Lord God Almighty?
    You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

⁹ You rule over the surging sea;
    when its waves mount up, you still them.

Their songs and Scriptures taught them the incomparable power of God. Their God can calm angry waves and redirect the wind.

Psalms 93:

³ The seas have lifted up, Lord,
    the seas have lifted up their voice;
    the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
⁴ Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
    mightier than the breakers of the sea—
    the Lord on high is mighty.

They were part of a faith community that said God was mightier than the worst storm. Sometimes you do not really believe what you say until you’ve experienced it yourself.

What storm are you in today? Most of us have both private and public fears of bad things happening. What will you do when things do take a turn for the worse? Will you curse God and die or bury yourself in the faithfulness of God?

Job had it worse than almost anyone and was able to open his mouth and say, “Though God slay me, I will still trust Him.” What will be your speech in the storm?