Today’s Reading: Mark 4:36-41
Today’s Verse: And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? Mark 4:41 KJV
One can only imagine what the world would be like without wind.
Where the lakes would always be calm.
Falling leaves would not cover and blow in the lands.
In an article the question was asked, “But in still air, who would expect trees to suddenly fall over?”
It happened in a three-acre glass dome built in the Arizona desert.
They had trees growing inside a huge windless bubble called Biosphere 2.
They grew faster than normal until they suddenly collapsed under their own weight.
The project researchers had to produce an explanation.
They concluded that the trees needed wind stress to grow strong.
In today’s reading, Jesus let His disciples experience “a great storm of winds” to strengthen their faith. Ones in which “the waves [would] beat into the ship, so that it was now full” (Mark 4:36-41 KJV).
The sudden storm proved too much, even for these seasoned fishermen.
While Jesus “was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow…they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (v.38).
They soon began to find out.
Jesus “arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm” (v.39).
He then questioned why they still had no faith in Him (v.40).
If the wind had not blown, the disciples would never have asked one another, “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (v.41).
Faith and fear take their turns while we are in this world.
Life in a protective bubble might sound good, but how strong would our faith be if we did not discover for ourselves fear could be overcome.
When the winds of circumstance come our way “be still” and keep the faith.
With the Lord on our side, we are always protected.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Father, we know that faith is lost when we let fear have control of our lives. We are to put our trust in You for everything we need in this lifetime. Help us to remember that anything that frightens us comes with an invitation for us to find strength in knowing and trusting You. Thank You for being with us through any storms we may face.
In Jesus Name We Pray, Amen