There is a certain peace that comes from a close walk with our Lord. The Apostle Paul describes it in Philippians 4:7 as, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding… (NKJV).” The NIV uses the word “transcends” instead of “surpasses.” Either way, that peace is nearly inexplicable, and certainly indescribable. 

Yet, there are times when Christians will face storms in life. Even those who surrender fully to God and follow in the footsteps of Jesus and pray continuously will face storms. Every Christian will at times face persecution, illness, death of loved ones, financial worries, temptation, and trials. How do I know this? Because Christ faced temptation, trials, and persecution. He lost loved ones to death (Lazarus). He faced death, and death He conquered. 

In Mark 4, after a long day of teaching, Jesus falls asleep in a nearby boat, probably one belonging to his disciples. The disciples, also exhausted, decide to launch the boats and escape the massive crowds. They retreat towards the other side of the Sea of Galilee. 

Somewhere on their journey, the weather takes a turn, and the waves nearly sink the boats. Jesus sleeps through it… or, more accurately, He sleeps until the disciples shake Him awake. 

“Master, does it mean nothing to you that we are drowning?”

To say that the disciples were scared that day is an understatement. These are men who grew up in a fishing culture, who cross the Sea as easily as we cross the street. At least four are professional fishermen who, undoubtedly, have faced many storms on the Sea of Galilee. This storm, however, frightens them, chills them. The winds are as great as one can imagine, and the waves burst onto the deck. They are certain they are going to die. 

Why was it necessary that the disciples face this storm? I mean, to look at them, they had done everything right. They had given up everything to follow Jesus. They had left their jobs, their families, and their possessions behind to study at the feet of the Master. Yet, if one believes that Jesus is fully God, and that God can bring even storms into submission (and I do believe that), then why would He find it necessary that the disciples, whose sole desire is to follow in His footsteps, face a life-threatening storm? And, why would Jesus sleep through it. 

Jesus knew the trials that the disciples would someday face. He knew that the Big Fisherman, Peter, and his brother Andrew were to be vilified by the Roman government. Jesus knew that Peter would be crucified upside down and Andrew staked to an X-shaped cross, because they felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus died. 

Jesus knew there, in that boat, that Philip, too, would be crucified, as would Simon the Zealot and Thaddeus. Jesus knew that James would be beheaded. Thomas would be ran through with a spear. Matthew would be stabbed in the back with a sword. James the Lesser, would be stoned at the age of 94. John, Jesus knew, would die a natural death after spending years in prison. 

That day in the boat, Jesus knew that the disciples lacked the necessary faith to face such persecution and death. He also knew that without such persecution, the Church would not grow. Persecution scattered the Church from Jerusalem to India, to Africa, and to Europe. Everywhere the disciples went, they made more disciples. 

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 

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 4:39-41 KJV 

All said and done, the fear that the disciples had felt for the storm is instead given to the man who calms the storm. They begin to see that their Master is no ordinary teacher. He is the Son of God. 

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  –Matthew 28:18b-20 NIV 

Do not tremble, do not be afraid…

You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me?

No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”

Before I began elementary school, my sister (15 years older than me) and her husband had their lives planned out. They were in students at Pasadena College, a Nazarene college, where they were studying to be missionaries. They planned to go to Africa, or the Far East, or some other exotic location and build the Church. Like all of us in our younger twenties, in spite of their youth, they had their lives all figured out. 

God had indeed called them to be His witness around the world, but He hadn’t revealed how He planned to send them. Their college days were interrupted by the Vietnam War when my brother-in-law was drafted. 

While my brother-in-law served as a medic in Southeast Asia, ministering to innumerable other young men, my sister suffered massive heart failure and nearly died. In fact, she did die – I think, a couple of times – and was brought back by the hand of God through His instruments, skilled attendantsand physicians. She recovered, with  God’s help, though she was told that she would never live a normal life and that she should never have children. She received a pacemaker that day and has had one imbedded in her chest now for fifty years. 

When my brother-in-law returned after a his tour in Vietnam, he went to work at a factory. His call to be a missionary was set aside for the moment. Now here is where God once again intervened. My sister’s ongoing medical expenses were too great for a man on hourly wages to pay, and my brother-in-law was compelled to reenlist. He made a career of the army. 

Together, my sister and her husband, and the two wonderful children that God gave them (in spite of the doctor’s warnings) took the Gospel of Christ to every army post that God sent them, blessing people and churches all over the US and Europe. 

To this day my sister and brother-in-law are active in church (in San Antonio) ministering to others through their love, generosity, and hard work. 

Were they afraid when my sister’s heart failed while her husband was half way around the world? Undoubtedly, they were both terrified. Were they dismayed when it looked like they were mistaken about God’s call to the mission field? I imagine so. When God sent them halfway around the world, did they tremble? Perhaps. 

But God had forordained the plan for their lives; even before He laid the foundations of the earth, He knew the path that Nancy and Him should travel. There is no other God, no other Rock. 

Fear Not. Be my witnesses. 

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Maybe 28:18b-20