ASSURANCE

Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. - Matthew 14.27

The disciples were in a storm on the Sea of Galilee. Not recognizing Jesus as He walked toward them on the water, they were frightened until He spoke. Then Peter said, "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." Jesus answered, "Come."

Fixing his eyes upon the Lord, Peter stepped out in faith and walked on the water. When he turned his eyes from Jesus and looked on the waves, he became afraid and began to sink. "Lord, save me," he cried. It was a short prayer, right to the point, and stated his need specifically. Immediately Jesus caught Peter and said, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" Peter had been filled with doubt and fear instead of faith and trust.

As storms sweep across our Sea of Circumstances and Adversity, we can either be overcome by fear and doubt and begin to sink or be filled with faith and trust and walk triumphantly on the angry waves. We can put our trust completely in Him. May each of us say with David, "O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust" (Psalm 7:1). Fear and trust do not dwell together.


Master, carest thou not that we perish? - Mark 4:38

While Jesus and His disciples were out on the Sea of Galilee, a violent storm suddenly arose. The disciples were frightened and feared that they would perish in the huge waves. To their dismay, they found Jesus asleep, undisturbed by the storm. They cried, "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" Jesus arose, rebuked the storm, and said, "Peace, be still." In the Greek this means "Be silent; be muzzled." Immediately the wind ceased and the sea became calm. The Master turned to His disciples and said, "How is it that ye have no faith?"

Most of us have probably had experiences similar to this. Things seem to be going along smoothly when suddenly a storm breaks over our lives, and we almost sink under the fury of it. Sometimes we feel forgotten of God. We feel He no longer cares. Perhaps we are saying by our attitude, if not by our words, "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" We become more occupied with the storm than with the One who is in the boat with us.

We are safer in the storm with Him than in the calm without Him. As we sail on the sea of life, storms will come. But we need have no fear with Him on board. Someone has said, "With Christ in the vessel, I smile at the storm." Fear sees the storm; faith sees God in the storm. "Christ is no security against storms, but He is perfect security in storms. He does not promise an easy passage, but He guarantees a safe landing."