By: Sam Baucom

Mark 4:35-41

³⁵And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. ³⁶And 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.  ³⁷And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.  ³⁸And 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?  ³⁹And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?  ⁴¹And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

      The basis for our faith is in the faithfulness of the character and nature of God. He is the object of our faith. The Word of God says that " For with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37). Our rest is in the fact that "But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26). Our reliance upon His immutability and faithfulness challenges our hearts to please Him with a trust that causes Him to act on our behalf, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)  By possessing the faith of Christ, we find that we can do "All things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13). From our own natural viewpoint and system of perception, our circumstances and situations may seem insurmountable or unsolvable. We must consider the principle that "we walk by faith and not by sight" (II Corinthians 5:7)

      While in the ship with His disciples, (Mark 4:35-41), after Jesus rebuked the stormy wind and seas, He reprimanded them for their lack of faith. "And he said unto them, 'Why are ye so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?'" (Mark 4:40). The disciples were afraid during this trial because their eyes were fixed on the severity of the storm rather than upon the Savior of the world! (Mark 4:41) In the midst of a tempest Christ slept, until the disciples woke Him. They reacted in panic but the Lord's faith never failed them, just as it well never fail you.

        I am about to go on the trip of my life.  The same Faith that Peter had to step out of his boat onto the Sea-Of-Galilee and meet Jesus is deep within me and gives me the strength to take that first step.  Jesus is calling me to "COME"  just as he did with Peter.  He is waiting for me to meet Him on the wind sweep sea, it will change my life forever and make my trust and character in God stronger.  It is a thrilling belief beyond any experience I have ever had.  It is everything I expected of someone who is worthy to be called Lord.  But to know Him as only Peter did I must align myself with God's purpose in my life and fulfill just one requirement:  If I want to be a Water Walker, I must First get out of the Boat.

(Matt. 14:22-33, 17:20  Heb. 11:1)

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