4:34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples. 4:35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 4:36 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. 4:37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 4:38 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? 4:39 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. 4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 4:41 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 4:34-41 VERSE 38 SAYS, "AND HE WAS IN THE HINDER PART OF THE SHIP, ASLEEP ON A PILLOW." JESUS WAS ASLEEP IN THE HINDER PART. THE HINDER PART IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE PILOT'S PLACE, THE HELM, THE PLACE WHERE WHERE THE SHIP WAS STEERED. JESUS WAS ASLEEP, BUT STILL AT THE HELM. BECAUSE HE IS AT THE HELM AND IN CONTROL, WE CAN COUNT ON A COUPLE OF THINGS.
1. HE WON'T LET ANYTHING COME OUR WAY WITHOUT IT GOING THROUGH HIM SELF FIRST. WE CAN SEE THIS WITH THE EXAMPLE OF JOB WHERE GOD GAVE SATAN PERMISSION TO AFFLICT JOB (JOB1:6-12, 2:1-6).
2. HE WON'T LET ANYTHING COME TO US WITHOUT HELPING US THROUGH IT. "THERE HATH NO TEMPTATION TAKEN YOU BUT SUCH AS IS COMMON TO MAN: BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL, WHO WILL NOT SUFFER YOU TO BE TEMPTED ABOVE THAT YE ARE ABLE; BUT WILL WITH THE TEMPTATION ALSO MAKE A WAY TO ESCAPE, THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO BEAR IT" (1CORINTHIANS 10:13).
THIS ESCAPE IS NOT TO GET YOU FROM UNDER THE BURDEN, BUT TO BEAR YOU UP UNDER IT. GOD WILL EITHER PROPORTION OUR BURDENS TO OUR STRENGTH OR HE WILL PROPORTION OUR STRENGTH TO OUR BURDENS. THE WISDOM OF GOD IS NEVER AT A LOSS ABOUT WAYS AND MEANS TO DELIVER HIS PEOPLE. WHEN STORMS AND TROUBLE COMES OUR WAY, WE SHOULD BE CONFIDENT WE WILL COME THROUGH BECAUSE HE SAID IN HEBREWS 13:5, "I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE."
LET US HAVE FAITH THAT IF WE HAVE TURNED THE HELM OF OUR LIFE OVER TO CHRIST, HE WILL REMAIN AT THE HELM STEERING US THROUGH THE STORMS AS WELL AS THE CALM SEAS.
BY ASSOCIATE PASTOR KENNETH NELSON, CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH, MANISTEE, MI. |
