Storm Related Frustrations

WEATHER THE STORM
Matthew 8:23-27 (Part 2)

Introduction

Our text tells us that Jesus was asleep (Matthew 8:24-25).Exhausted by the events of the day, Jesus was in a deep sleep at the rear end of the boat. This passage illustrates the dual nature of Christ.

1. In His humanity He was weary and tired.
2. Yet in His divinity He calmed the sea.

The God-man was fast asleep as the ship was being tossed by the wind and the waves. By now, the ship was taking in water from the huge waves that were crashing down on the ship. The disciples struggled to make their way back to the hinder part of the ship to find Jesus. While they were wet, cold and choking on the water they discovered Jesus asleep.

The synoptic gospel of Mark reveals the fear and frustration of the disciples. Mark records, “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” (Mark 4:38)?

In a tone of panic, fear and frustration the disciples accused the Lord of not caring.By the way, lest we get too impressed with our own spirituality we must admit we do the same thing.

1. Have you ever used accusatory language with our Lord?
2. Have you ever questioned Him?
3. Have you ever felt like God just doesn’t care about what I’m going through?
4. Have you ever become frustrated by the inactivity of Jesus in your storm?

Nevertheless, the disciples were frustrated by the silence of Jesus. I can see the
disciples reaching down and shaking the sleeping Savior as they cried out in fear,
“Master we are perishing!” It is easy to see the anxiety and frustration on the disciples faces.

How did the disciples deal with their storm related frustrations?

1. First of all, they stayed in the ship.

 We do not hear any discussion of mutiny.
 No one jumped overboard!
 No one went AWOL!
 The disciples stayed on the boat.
 Storm related frustrations can lead believers to make unwise decisions.

For instance, some storm connected irritations have caused many believers to leave good churches.Sometimes we think if we have a change of scenery our aggravation will go away.We have this idea that if we ignore our problems long enough they will go away.This is a fallacy! Stay in the ship! Confront your storm related frustrations with the assistance of Jesus Christ. Only He can calm the storm in your life!

2. Secondly, they did not change their course.

They could have chosen calmer seas. Smooth sailing is always more pleasant than stormy seas. Yet, the disciples did not alter their course.

So often believers endeavor to modify their course because of stormy seas. Brethren, we do not have this option. God’s divine decree has charted the path for the believer! We cannot revise God’s Word just because we don’t like what it says. By the way, the scripture clearly tells us that suffering is a part of God’s will for the believer (1 Peter 3:13-17; 4:10). Smooth sailing is not always God’s will! Pie in the sky theology is not scriptural. Peter tells us, “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind” (1 Peter 4:1). Since Jesus experienced physical suffering during His earthly ministry the believer must also hoplizo {arm} himself with the same mindset. Thus, the child of God must be prepared to suffer for the cause of Christ. The unconverted world considers the Christian “strange” because he does not “run with them to the same excess of riot.” As a result, Peter says, they will “speak evil of you” (1 Peter 4:4). Write it down! You will encounter stormy seas!

3. How did the disciples deal with their storm related frustrations? Thirdly, they let Jesus handle the storm. Even though the disciples were impatient and imperfect, they permitted Jesus to deal with the storm.

a. The storm was bigger than the disciples.
b. There was nothing they could do except hunker down and ride out the storm.
c. They anxiously awoke Jesus from His nap and petitioned Him regarding the storm.

So often we forget that Jesus is working behind the scenes in order to show Himself mighty. Our sovereign Lord is ultimately in control of all things. While we clearly see Him conquering this storm, we often ignore the fact He organized this storm.

Psalm 107 is a celebration song of providential deliverances. The Psalmist said,“he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof” (v. 25). God providentially plans each storm. Why did Jesus arrange this particular Galilean gale? Could it be He wanted to display His power? Matthew informs us that the men “marveled” when the winds and waves obeyed Him (Matthew 8:27). We must remember that God orchestrates the circumstances of our lives for His glory. My life should be a vehicle through which God reveals His glorious Son. When we apply this magnificent truth our frustrations will diminish.

4. How did the disciples deal with their storm related frustrations? Fourthly,
they leaned on the Words of Christ. Having been aroused from His slumber, Jesus immediately reproved the disciples for their lack of faith (v. 26a). Then He forcefully epitimao{rebuked} the wind and water which resulted into a calming of the sea (v. 26b). How did Jesus still the sea? With His Word!

Notice what MacArthur says about this verse.

Jesus arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea, saying, “Hush, be still” (Mark 4:39). At the word of the Creator the storm could do nothing but become perfectly calm. The winds stopped, the waves ceased, the air cleared, and the water became as glass. Storms normally subside gradually, with winds and waves diminishing little by little until calm is restored. But this storm subsided faster even than it had come;it came suddenly and ceased instantly. Though small in comparison to hurricanes and typhoons, that storm on the Sea of Galilee had generated multiplied millions of units of horsepower. Yet Jesus stopped it with a word—an easy feat compared to His bringing the entire world into existence with a word.

 Thank God for the power of His Word!
 The believer can conquer storm related frustrations with the Word of God.
 The promises of God can calm even the most ferocious storm.