Storms of Life

Rev Gideon Lee

Mark 6:45-52

Jesus Walks on the Sea

45 Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. 46 And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. 47 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. 48 Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. 49 And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” 51 Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marvelled. 52 For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.

The last verse was referring to the chapter before this where Jesus was feeding the 5,000. The chronological order is that Jesus fed the 5,000 before going into this boat at the lake.

Today I want to talk about 8 keys to correctly handle storms in our lives.

How many of you were here when the tsunami hit Penang? How many of you were afraid when you saw this? Storms will come into our life whether we like it or not. We don't have to invite storms, they will come unexpectedly.

It will come in the most inconvenient time, when we least expect it.

Jesus after feeding the 5000 comes after dismissing the people. He made the people go into the boat.

Who told the disciples to go across the lake. It was Jesus. Jesus made them to go over the other side. Jesus forces the people.

1. Know that you are divinely called

45 Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side,

It was not the disciples choice. Jesus made them go over. Storms often comes when we are following  Jesus. We are divinely called. We know that it is God that calls us. In your work place, your school, you are divinely called. You may face trouble. But because you are divinely called you don't have to worry. God will be there for you. That's the difference. We are not shielded from storms because we are Christians. Sometimes God put us in some storms to mould us. A good sailor needs to go through  storms.

2. You are exactly where God wanted you to be

47 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea;

Jesus sent the storm in the most critical time. In the middle of the sea. Because you are divinely called you are right exactly where God wants you to be. God was preparing them for a miracle and it has to be at the middle of the lake. We don't want to be anywhere else except where God wants me to be.

3. He sees your problems and struggles

48 Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.

Many times in a storm we think God does not care and is not seeing what we go through. Jesus sees you. He has not left you alone. He saw what was happening. God sees your problems and your struggles. I want to assure you God sees.

4. Don't give up even if the wind is not with you

48 Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them

They were straining and doing their best. We need to continue what he calls us to do. In the storms, while doing what you are supposed to do, we must not give up. It is easy to give up when it's tough. It is hard to work against the storm but they did not give up. It is easy to give up. When you go to heaven, God says well done my good and faithful servant. Not talented servant. It's faithful. Don't give up even if there is only 5 people. When you don't see God's hand trust his heart. What's his heart? He loves you.

5. There is a time when everybody will desert you

49 And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out;

In ministry, there can come a time when all desert you and that is the time you have to be gut sure God has called you. He will never forsake and leave you and that is what keeps you going in ministry. This is what my pastor told me when I went into full time ministry.

6. In the midst of your storm he comes to you

51 Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.

In your hour of need he comes. Never too late or too early. He comes to his people who are in need. Are you going through a storm u. You life? He is coming.

7. On the midst of your storms you can hear him

50 for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

He will tell you don't me terrified. It is me. You can still learn and hear the still small voice of the Lord. That he is here. How many of us in the midst of our struggles needs to hear him.

Last but not least.

8. You can count on his faithfulness

51 Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marvelled. 52 For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.

He went into the boat only after the storm ceased. They were amazed because they did not understand, Jesus had just done a great miracle feeding the 5,000. He is faithful. He will not fail them. Often when storms come into our life we ask why. Remember past miracles.

We need to know he is faithful. We all face storms, even me. We cannot stop storms from coming but we need to know how to face them. Jesus walked on water. Without this storm we would not have seen this miracle. Whatever your storms may be Jesus is still in control. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Amen.