Devotionals

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Peace, Be Still

Mark 4:35-41

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

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?


Jesus had just spent the day ministering to the people and the disciples now find themselves in a boat heading to the other side!

We don’t know how long they were in the boat before the storm arose, but through the scripture we might determine that the storm was arose quickly and was fierce, because the ship was made full by the waves.

Have you ever been in this proverbial boat?

Seems like we just get into the boat in obedience, and no sooner than we take sail, the storms arise! We know we are on the right course, we know the Master is with us, and yet we can’t bail the water out fast enough.

Jesus was in the helm, not just sleeping, but He had a pillow. He was resting well, so it would appear to those frantic around Him. It is here, in the midst of this storm that the disciples faith appeared weak, yet their prayer was strong!

Master, carest thou not that we perish?

How can He sleep in the midst of the storm? How can He sleep when we are tossed to and fro? How can He sleep when the boat is filled with water? Any minute we may capsize and Jesus is asleep on a pillow!

Yet they prayed – MASTER, CAREST THOU NOT THAT WE PERISH!

Their great failure would have been if they’d sat down and gave up! Their great failure would have been if they’d jumped ship! They could have just said, well, I guess He don’t care, and thrown up their hands in the midst of the storm and called it quits!

Yet they knew the MASTER WAS IN THE BOAT!

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.

The Master didn’t roll over and put the pillow over His head, he rebuked the wind, and said PEACE, BE STILL!

Be Still in the Greek is as follows:
fimovw (pronounced fee-mo'-o ) to stop the mouth, make speechless, reduce to silence, to become speechless.

Jesus caused the storm to become silent, speechless. He reduced the storm that had filled the boat to silence!

When you’ve climbed in the boat in obedience and the storm rages and it appears you will be overtaken, remember the Master is in the boat!

The Creator of the sea speaks BE SILENT!

The Creator of the storm speaks BE STILL!

The Creator of the waves speaks and the storm is reduced to silence!

When you see the waves, and you feel the water rising;

FEAR NOT, THE MASTER IS IN THE BOAT!


When you start to wonder if the boat will capsize, doubt fills your every thought (did I miss the something? Did I get on the wrong boat?), remember the Master is on board! Even if it appears your faith is weakening, CRY OUT TO THE MASTER!

Jesus, we’ve climbed in the boat; we want to go all the way with You and then the storm arises! We look around and see the waves take over our call and we start to wonder if we missed something! Thank You for being in the boat! Help us not to despair, even when our faith appears to be weakening, help us to cry out to You! Lord, we know that there are those today who feel like the boat is about to capsize. The storms have raged and the waves seem in control! Help them to see that You are in the helm! Though the storm is loud and the boat is full, You are still there! In Jesus Name, AMEN!

© Jounda LaMance December 10, 2006

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