Grace Notes – Gracious Stillness
“And a furious storm of wind [of hurricane proportions] arose,
and the waves kept beating into the boat, so that it was already
becoming filled. But He [Himself] was in the stern [of the boat],
asleep on the [leather] cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him,
Master, do You not care that we are perishing? And He arose and
rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Hush now! Be still (muzzled)!
And the wind ceased (sank to rest as if exhausted by its beating)
and there was [immediately] a great calm (a perfect peacefulness).
He said to them, Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you
have no faith (no firmly relying trust)? And they were filled with
great awe and feared exceedingly and said one to another,
Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey Him?”
Mark 4:37-41 AMPC
“Then they cry to the Lord in their trouble, and He brings them out
of their distresses. He hushes the storm to a calm and to a gentle
whisper, so that the waves of the sea are still. Then the men are glad
because of the calm, and He brings them to their desired haven.”
Psalm 107:28-30 AMPC
Grace Perspective:
Stillness…silence…peace. In the passage from Mark, the disciples in the boat with Jesus felt anything but calm. Even though Immanuel (the Prince of Peace) was in the boat with them. Jesus was fast asleep, trusting His Father to get them across the stormy sea. As the storm increased in intensity, the disciples grew fearful. They had witnessed Jesus healing a man whose hand was withered and heard His teaching in parables, yet they still weren’t sure of Christ’s identity.
With a stern word of rebuke, Jesus caused the winds and the waves to be still. It was not a gradual calming of a storm but an immediate cessation of the chaotic winds and waves that threatened to sink the boat. Great calm fell over the sea because the One who created them commanded obedience, and they obeyed the Master’s voice.
The disciples were filled with awe and fear as they wondered who was in the boat with them. As they cried to the Lord in their distress, He calmed the storm, bringing them safely to their destination. It was in this moment that they would realize that Jesus was indeed the Messiah that they had been waiting for, and He would deliver them from a much more significant threat: their sin. One day, after suffering additional stormy trials, He would graciously still the storms of life and bring them to Him in Heaven.
A Touch of Grace:
What storm is raging in your life today?
Where do you turn to find stillness?
Grace Application:
Stillness and quiet are something I long to experience more of. How about you? Storms often erupt without warning. Wars raging in various places around the world, financial hardship caused by the increased cost of living, strained relationships, a country becoming increasingly divided by ideals, a world in chaos…the list goes on.
I have to remind myself to turn to the Lord in my distress. I seek His comfort and peace to still the wind of anxiety and waves of fear that threaten to overwhelm my weary mind and body. During these stressful times, I recall the promises found in Scripture and find solace for my soul.
Storms may be on the horizon, but the One who forms them can strengthen us to endure the winds and waves of adversity. We can’t be sure what today or tomorrow holds, but we can hold fast to the truth that whenever we are in the midst of a storm, we can call on the Lord, and even if we are in a raging tempest, He will calm our hearts and minds with the peace that passes all understanding, when we seek Him. So call on Him today, even if you’re not in a storm, and let His presence calm your heart and graciously still your fears with the promise that He is near to those who call on His mighty name.
In His Grace,
Dawn
Prayer:
Gracious Father, I come to You in the precious name of Jesus Christ, the One Who stills the winds and waves of fear and anxiety when storms arise in my life. Forgive me when I let myself sink under the waves of doubt and uncertainty. Help me to cling to You whenever I am afraid. Lord Jesus, thank You for always being present with me and graciously stilling my stormy thoughts to hear Your word, which calms my heart. Amen
**Today, as you read this, I pray each of you will know you are in Christ Jesus. If you have any doubts, please call out to God so your doubt is erased. Today is a good day to rest in Salvation in Christ Jesus. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me at graceisdawning@gmail.com**