August 19: Fearless Because He’s Near

 Fearless Because He’s Near

Dr. Terry Ann Robinson 

Key Text: Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

Throughout my life, Jesus has called me into some interesting situations. Quite often, these involve things that I am not ready for, or rather, things I don't think I am ready for. Sometimes I want to run away like Jonah. Sometimes, because of fear, I enter cautiously, questioning if the call was really for me.  

In Mark 4:35-41, we find the story of the disciples in the midst of a storm. How did they get there, and what lesson is in this story for us? 

In verse 35, we realize that Jesus was the one who told them to go into the boat and cross over the sea. So the disciples were following God's instructions when they found themselves in this storm. 

Lesson 1: Following God's commands does not mean our lives will be free of problems. 

The sea was calm when the disciples started their journey that evening. Jesus had sent the multitude away and wanted to have some quiet time. But other men had heard Jesus' instructions to his disciples and had also gone out on the sea in their small boats. Maybe they were the paparazzi wanting to capture more of this great teacher. Perhaps they were from the Marl Road searching for the latest scoop. Regardless of their objective, they were following Jesus. 

Lesson 2: Not everyone who follows Jesus will start off with the right motive. Follow him anyway. 

Suddenly, the sky became black, and as the night fell, a storm started to rage. This storm was unlike any that these experienced fishermen had seen before. Many other storms they had navigated but this one was more than they could handle. Just when they were about to lose hope, in the flash of a lightning, they caught a glimpse of Jesus. 

Lesson 3: In your storm, when you feel alone, look around, the God who sent you, will be with you. 

All the disciples' efforts to save themselves were pointless. Now that they had a glimpse of the Savior, they started to cry out to Him. Master! Master, don't you care that we are out here dying? How can you sleep now? 

Jesus got up and spoke to the wind and waves - Peace Be Still. Immediately, there was calm. 

Lesson 4: Jesus can speak over your stormy situations, and even those raging waters will be still. Just cry out to Him.

The book Desire of Ages, page 333, tells us that the little boats that had followed Jesus in the water were washed close to Jesus' boat because of the storm. 

When Jesus got up and commanded the winds and waves to be still, I imagine that the people on these small boats must have seen him in action. All the paparazzi forgot about their cameras, and all the journalists had a new story. 

Lesson 5: When God quiets your storm, it will be a testimony to the onlookers. 

I don't know what storms you are going through. I don't know what you fear. What I do know is that each battle you face gives you a chance to fear less until you become fearless.

The God who tells you to go is always there with you so you can go forth boldly even in the storm. Fear Not! 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for your mercies toward us that are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness, oh Lord. We live in a world where fear, anxiety, and stress are the order of the day. When we go through the storms of life, we are sometimes so busy trying to survive that we forget that the God who brought us to it will take us through it. Please help us to fear not because you are with us. Remind us that if we pause and look around, we will see that you are not worried, because you have everything under control. Please help us to rely fully on you, and with each storm, help us to fear less until we become fearless. Amen.