Be Still
"Peace, be still" is what Jesus said when he rebuked the storm on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus and His disciples were headed to the other side of the sea (Mark 4:35) from where He taught the parable of the sower to the great multitude (Mark 4:1-34) when the storm arose.
The Sea of Galilee is well known for having violent storms because of its geographical setting. The fact that it is some 700 feet below sea level and surrounded by mountains and cliffs, results in a micro-climate that is conducive to generating gale force winds in a relatively short period of time. One minute it can be calm, but the next moment it can be calamitous. Such was the case (Mark 4:37) when the disciples awoke Jesus accusing Him of not caring that they might perish in the storm (Mark 4:38). When Jesus arose, He:
... rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm (Mark 4:39).
Storms in Our Lives.
As Christians, we go through "life's storms" on a regular basis. Many times these storms are ones that just seem calamitous, but in many cases they are real calamities that we have to get through. How do we transcend from the calamity we are dealing with, be it one that we have conjured up in our minds, or one that is real, to "Peace, be still", being able to take comfort that Jesus really does care about us and will get us through this present storm and every storm we encounter in our lives?
Jesus tells us the answer to that question in verse 40:
and He said unto them: Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith (Mark 4:40)?
In these storms, Jesus wants us to have faith in Him. How can we possibly have faith in Him, if we don't remember that He is:
- Jehovah Jireh - our provider (Genesis 22:8,14)
- Jehovah Nissi - our leader, our banner, He goes before us (Exodus 17:15)
- Jehova-Rapha - our healer (Exodus 15:26)
- Jehova-Raha - our shepherd who watches over us (Psalm 23:1-6), and
- all that "He Is" as listed in the Names of Jesus
The Psalmist summed all of this up in Psalm 46:1-11 NIV.
Be Still and Know that I Am God
Psalm 46:1-11 NIV
1 God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
From Be Still to Bible Studies
From Be Still to Gospel According to Mark
From Be Still to It is Well
