[Manny Varela]

MARK 4 – COMMAND

“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 4:41

One day, the disciples of Jesus decided to set sail to travel to the “other side” of the Sea of Galilee. The Sea of Galilee is the second-lowest lake in the world, at levels 200 meters below sea level. Because of its depth, the sea was prone to violent winds as the valleys and hills would harness the elements creating wind-like tunnels.

As the disciples were sailing, suddenly, they found themselves in a “tempest of wind” – a “great” violent storm. The sky darkened, and a rolling thunder began to echo through the valleys as the rain descended from the heavens. Lightning filled the sky as it struck violently around the little ship; furious gusts of winds began to “beat” the little fishing ship, tossing it to and fro. The boat appears doomed as it is on the verge of being consumed. The disciples begin to cry out loud for deliverance.

All the while, in the middle of the tumultuous storm, Jesus is sleeping nestled peacefully inside the ship. The disciples are beside themselves as they shake the Lord Jesus awake. They cry, “Master, do you care that we are about to perish.” Jesus, with the greatest authority, hushes the winds. Immediately, the great tumult, the life-consuming upheaval, subsides…

 

CHALLENGE

My friend, are you presently in a storm, and the waves of the sea are overwhelming you? Be not afraid; God is the master of even the greatest of storms. For it is God who “establishe[s] the force of the wind and measure[s] out the waters when He made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm” (Job 28:25-26). God governs when the storms come and go, when they are stirred and when they are to  subside. At His command, “even the wind and the sea obey him”!

Are you in a mighty storm, and your boat is about to capsize? Then cry out to God; he is ready to sail with you and give you “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, [and] will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippines 4:7). RPF

[Carlos Martes]

Philippines 4:7 is very calming to me, only because this confirms that closely present of Him always being with you and knowing that no matter what obstacles you may encounter now or in the near future, there is nothing is this world that can come between Him and us. Psalms even provides an abundance of verses that ensures us He is with us and give us that comfort we need in times of crisis. Building that relationship with Him is important, and if you want to be able to keep that presence of Him close, walking in that path of obedience is essential, but not easy! It is a lifelong journey for us until the day we pass or when He comes back again!

[Mjulius513]

This message reminds me how important it is to pause, trust, and rest in God even when life feels overwhelming. Often, we face storms and stress from school, family struggles, or personal worries, and it’s easy to feel like everything is about to collapse. But the Sabbath teaches us that God is in control even when we are not. The verses from Job remind us that God commands the wind and the rain, meaning no storm in our lives is beyond His power. And in Philippians 4:7, we are promised a peace that doesn’t always make sense but is real and comforting. On the Sabbath especially, we are invited to step back from our fears and cry out to God, trusting that He is in the boat with us. When we rest in Him, He gives strength, guidance, and the calm our hearts truly need. Psalm 46:1, which says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

[Isabelle Tubbs]

Jesus calming the storm is a great reminder of the power of His presence with us. Jesus being with us will not mean that storms will never come, but it is much better to have Jesus in the boat with us during the storm than without Him. He makes all the difference because of how powerful and sovereign He is. However, how much we worry about the storm is determined by our view of God. To fully trust Jesus to keep us safe during the storm, we need to keep our focus on Him even when things happen, and we need to remember how big our God is. The storm is real, but God is bigger. The storm will come, but Jesus is with us. This perspective makes a big difference. Also, it is important to call on Jesus. The disciples called on Jesus before He got up to calm the storm. Once we know that Jesus is the One who can truly make the change in a situation, we must go to Him for help and salvation.

[Joseph Doss]

I am definitely in a storm, seemingly worse as the year goes on, but I’m alive and desperate the growing mountain of stress and troubles, God seems to keep me on top not something I often thinking on, but probably should. I have a lot going on and seem to be fine with it (not just on the outside but the inside as well) its likely that “joy that surpasses all understanding” gifted to us by God Himself.

[Trae Johnson]

There was a season in my life when I felt as though I was living inside a storm. Every direction I turned, the winds of trouble seemed to rise higher. Much like the disciples on the Sea of Galilee, I felt tossed, overwhelmed, and afraid that my situation would consume me. I prayed, but at times it felt as though God was silent, resting while I stood on the edge of sinking. Yet in that very place of fear, I sensed God’s presence reminding me that He was still in control. Just as Jesus stood and commanded the winds to be still, He began calming the turmoil in my own heart. I cried out to Him, the peace of God slowly filled the places where panic had lived. The storm around me did not instantly disappear, but I found a calm that surpassed my understanding. I came to realize that the same God who commands the sea governs the storms of my life. Whenever I look back, I see that He was with me through every crashing wave. Now, when new storms rise, I cling to this one truth: at His command, the winds quiet, the waves settle, and my heart rests in Him.

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