With Jesus Through the Storms of Life

(Message delivered by Rev Tan Kian Sing at the True Life Church 10.30 am Service, June 25, 06)

Text: Mark 4:35-41

Dear friends, do you experience various “storms of life” in your personal lives? The storms of life are part of our experiences as we live in this world of troubles. At one time or another, all of us do suffer from disease, sickness, loss of loved ones, failure, disappointment, rejection, broken relationship, or loss of jobs. Your life may be one that is smooth sailing for now, but there may come a time when you may face some storms of life that can be so severe that everything you have will be destroyed or taken away. Yes, when the storms of life pound on you, will you survive them?

There are three things we can learn from the fearful experience of the disciples on how they struggled through a severe storm, recorded for us in Mark 4:35-41, and how we may react when we do meet with the storms of life.

Firstly, remember that the Lord is in control of all circumstances we are in.

The Lord instructed the disciples: “Let us pass over unto the other side” (v. 35). But when they encountered the storm, the disciples panicked and feared that they would perish in the middle of the sea, never to reach the other side. Listen to what they told the Lord: “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (v. 38).

The disciples had forgotten all that they had seen in the Lord’s work before they took this trip; how the Lord manifested His power and control over all things. They had witnessed the Lord’s power over diseases by healing the sick. They had seen how the Lord controlled the evil spirits as He commanded them to come out of people who were possessed by demons. But when it came to their own personal experience with troubles, they could not appreciate the reality of the Lord’s sovereign control over all situations that they were in.

Dear friends, do you believe that the Lord is indeed sovereign, powerful and great, and that He is in control of all situations in your life, and that it is for real? Or is your knowledge of the Lord’s attributes just some theological knowledge but not of any practical application? Do you appreciate that God is good, loving, merciful, gracious, powerful, all-knowing; but in turbulent times, are you still able to acknowledge these wonderful attributes of God?

See how the Lord taught the disciples a great lesson of His ability in controlling over all things. When the Lord awoke, He rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, “Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm” (v. 39). Dear friends, we will spare ourselves from unnecessary agony if we first of all remember who our Lord is, and if we are able to apply that knowledge to our own personal lives, especially in times of great anxiety.

How was it that the disciples were so fearful and had forgotten that the Lord is in control? Because they were looking at their own problem, looking at the dangerous situation they were in, more concerned with their own lives, and so afraid that they would perish. Note that they did not go to Jesus immediately for help. They depended upon their own strength and ability to battle the storm. Perhaps they did not think the Lord could really help them, though they had seen Him helping others. Note their expression of wonder and awe when they actually saw how the Lord could control the storm with just His spoken words as they “feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” (v. 41).

Dear brethren, are we sometimes like the disciples? When times are good, we remember that God is great. But when times are bad, we think that God is small. In times of sunshine, we may be singing, “How Great Thou art.” But when we are caught in some storms of life, we forget who God is, and we do not put our trust in Him.

Dear brethren, in the struggles of life, let us remember that the Lord is indeed still sitting on the throne. Remember to call upon Him. Do not leave Him at the back of the sinking boat. Do not forget this, because our life is not going to be peaceful all the time, we will certainly come face to face with some storms of life. Notice that when the disciples sat sail into the Sea of Galilee, it was all peace and tranquillity at first. But suddenly the storm came, even though the Lord Jesus was with them in the same boat. We should not take life for granted.

You may start off well in many things in life peacefully, even though you think that you are in the Lord’s will and He is with you – for example, starting a new home, a new relationship, a new family, a new venture in business – but as you progress, troubles will in time start to surface. Will you then panic? Or will you remember who the Lord is and that He is there for you from the start? Do always remember that He is still there in whatever situation you are facing. Do not forget to call upon Him to keep all calamities under control. Let Him take charge and be the Pilot.

Now, the second thing is to recognize that the Lord does care for us even in times of distress.

Though the disciples were seasoned fishermen, yet they were frightened to death when they saw the fierce storm pounding upon them. And when they had failed to free themselves out of the situation after having struggled much on their own, they noted that the Lord was still sleeping, and straight away they concluded that the Lord did not care if they should perish (v. 38).

Dear friends, does Jesus care? Remember that very comforting hymn we love to sing? As we sing the hymn, we are reminded that most of us do at times wonder if the Lord is really concerned especially during times of hurt, when the burdens and cares of life weigh so heavily upon us, when the way seems dark, when temptation seems difficult to resist, or when we must part with our dearest loved one. But as we sing the chorus, are we not encouraged with the answer that comes back triumphantly saying: “O yes, He cares, I know my Saviour cares!”

Yet, the writer of the hymn, Frank E. Graeff, had gone through many severe and testing experiences in his life. The hymn was written during a time of severe physical agony, doubt, and despondency. Graeff turned to the Scriptures for comfort and strength. 1 Peter 5:7 which says, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” became especially meaningful for him in the time of need. He then wrote the lines of “Does Jesus Care?” to express the feelings of assurance that came to him.

In times of darkness or sorrow, do rest in the security of the truth that Jesus truly cares deeply. He will ultimately meet your need just as He met the need of His disciples when they woke Him up. He brought about peace and tranquillity into their lives. Just remember to call unto the Lord when you need help. He will answer you and show you great and mighty things, which you know not. Please do not be mistaken that the Lord Jesus does not care just because He does not still the storm immediately. Surely the Lord has His purpose in “delaying” to deliver.

And so the third thing for us to learn is to realize that the Lord challenges our faith in Him especially during stormy times.

After the Lord had calmed the storm, the Lord said unto the disciples, “Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?” (v. 40). The Lord was testing the faith of the disciples through the storm.

The Lord was the one who told the disciples to set sail to cross over to the other side. And the disciples obeyed and acted accordingly, yet when they encountered the fiercest storm and were in great danger of being overwhelmed, the Lord delayed His coming to deliver them out of their distress. Why the delay? Why did not the Lord rush to deliver them?

When we get into trouble and the Lord does not seem to rush to our help, is it not because the Lord is challenging our faith to trust in Him more, and to pray more intensely and intently? Is it not because the Lord is strengthening us so that we will be able to face greater storms of life? Is it not because the longer we wait, the more we will appreciate the deliverance of the Lord when it finally comes? Is it not because we will be able to rejoice truly over the Lord’s goodness in seeing us through our plight so that others too can bless the Lord and be encouraged as well?

Dear brethren, is your faith being challenged now and then through some storms of life? Truly, we never know how much real faith we have until it is put to the test in some fierce storm, and that is the reason why the Saviour has to delay His coming to help when we are in difficulties and distress, so that we will earnestly cry unto Him and trust in Him more.

Spurgeon said, “Remember that we have no more faith at any time than we have in the hour of trial. All that will not bear to be tested is mere carnal confidence. Fairweather faith is no faith.” Do you have fairweather faith? Or is your faith a tested faith? If your faith is to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might, then it needs to be tested and strengthened through the storms of life.

Dear friends, are you in the midst of a tempestuous situation in your life? In such times, let us firstly, remember that there is a sovereign God who is still in charge. Regardless of what difficulties and troubles you are in, be it family, financial, business, relationship, study or work, just be assured that the Lord is there and He is in control of every situation in your life.

Secondly, please do not think that He does not care what you are going through in life. Yes, He certainly does care for you and me. So be ready to come to Him and ask Him for help and direction when in distress. He is waiting for you to come to Him and He will show you how greatly He can deliver you.

Thirdly, perhaps the Lord has allowed you to go through some stormy experiences so that you may wake up from your slackening faith and put yourself under His divine protection. God does allow us to go through deep waters. He sometimes sends storms into our lives. But do not be dismayed, for it is to challenge us and to build up our faith in Him.

So when we encounter those storms of life, let us remember that the sovereign Lord is in control of all things. Let us be ready to call upon Him for help because He cares for us. And let us praise and thank Him for the challenges He puts us through so that we will be more dependent upon Him always. May God help us to weather the storms of life with Jesus our Captain and Pilot at the helm. Amen.