From the Edges – A Response to Fear

From the Edges – Morning Devotions
Pastor Calvin Cook
LENT – DAY 26 – A RESPONSE TO FEAR
Scripture focus – Mark 4:35-41 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”’

Throughout history and even in our present day, especially in our present day. Everything seems to be out of control. It seems that there is just one storm after the other. Whether the storm is personal, financial, relationships, medical we seem to always be battling some situation that causes storms that bring fear and uncertainty. As well the storms are witnessed in natural disaster recovery, wars, violence, the search for stability, political, oppression and the list could go on.
In thinking about these storms that are raging – I thought on the scripture from Mark 4:35-41 and the response of the Disciples but the way in which Jesus very nonchalantly calmed the storm. The words also ring out to us today if we will listen in the midst of the storms of life, Jesus shows up and says “Peace Be Still”
Yet we wonder what these words mean. The Greek translation of “Be Still” means to muzzle, silence, and cause to be speechless. The Greek word if your interested is pefimoso. Combining the words “Peace Be Still” means that when Peace is spoken by Jesus that the raging sea had no choice but to be silenced by God’s presence and instruction.
How is it in our life. If we have faith that God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the answer to everything and is always working why are we fearful and how do we respond to that fear. Mark doesn’t paint a picture of desperation and struggle, it doesn’t say that after the Disciples bailed water, rowed, and rowed, were a frantic mess that Jesus showed up and calmed the storm. It seems to me that this was the Disciples first call was on Jesus. That speaks that our first defense to fear should be calling, listening, and responding to the direction we receive from God.
I realize the skepticism of the Disciples in the 41st verse where they questioned who Jesus was that even the winds and sea obey him but doesn’t that describe life to us to the face of storm. Jesus shows up calms the storm, gives us direction, walks with us, provides with hope and yet we question the move of God and how all of this is from the one who gives life and everything else.
Having faith is more than proclaiming faith with our mouth but also by being faithful in the midst of the storm and how we will respond to fear and everything that comes our way this day. Remember faith is the substance of everything and with mustard seed size faith we can move the mountains. Praying for that kind of faith today!

If you desire to read back through these devotionals you can find them all at www.pastorcalvincook.com –