“On the same day, when evening had come, [Jesus] said to [His disciples], ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ …And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’ Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”
Mark 4:35, 37-39
Jesus knew where He was going!
Not only did Jesus know where He was going, He knew why He was going there, and He knew that His disciples needed to go with Him! So, where was He going?
To the other side!
Jesus had a divine purpose to fulfill on the other side…demons needed to be cast out on the other side…a man needed to be set free on the other side…and a whole city needed to hear the Good News on the other side (Mark 5:1-20)!
But first, they had to get there!
Jesus had instructed His disciples: “Let us go across to the other side….” So, as far as He was concerned, that’s where they were going! But in the midst of getting there, a great windstorm arose. A windstorm has the potential to cause severe, widespread damage. Besides the devastation it can cause in the natural, great emotional and mental chaos, commotion and panic can result. That’s what happened with the disciples that day!
Although they were in the boat with Jesus, the very source of peace and the Prince of Peace, the disciples were afraid! Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) says: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
Peace is the Hebrew word, shalom, which means, totality or completeness, success, fulfillment, wholeness, harmony, prosperity, tranquility, security and well-being. The disciples had been with Jesus and seen Him perform great miracles, signs and wonders prior to launching out; however, in the midst of that great storm, their hearts were flooded with fear because their minds strayed instead of stayed on Jesus!
They forgot who was actually in the boat with them! Jesus, the Waymaker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper! They were scared, stressed and convinced that they were about to die: “The disciples woke Him up and said, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are about to die?” (Mark 4:38b GNT)
Awakened by frenzied and frightened men, Jesus stood up and took charge. He showed His disciples what to do and what to say to a windstorm! He stood up, got fed up, and commanded that storm to STOP and SHUT UP: “And he arose and rebuked the wind and he said to the sea, “Stop! Shut up!”, and the wind stopped, and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39 Aramaic Bible in Plain English).
In our everyday lives, windstorms can come in the form of competing, conflicting or colliding schedules, priorities and responsibilities…they can be overwhelming financial debt, family hardships, romantic heartbreaks, wayward children, abusive relationships and health problems…they can look like addictions, mental illness, personal insecurities, lustful temptations and haunting memories…and so much more!
A storm by any other name is still a storm! Its intent is to cause severe, widespread damage and devastation…to ultimately destroy the fulfillment of God’s dream and a person’s God-given destiny!
We must remember that Jesus is our Prince of Peace, and when Peace speaks, storms shut up! I like that! So, we need to practice saying: shut up, storm! Jesus never said that to impress or offend anyone. He said it so that He and His disciples could all get over to the other side, because lives were at stake and Kingdom business had to get done on the other side!
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
All of us have Kingdom business to do! We have people to see, places to go, and work to be done for the Lord! While we’re going about doing the Father’s business, the enemy will try to mess with us to generate windstorms! As a matter of fact, even if we aren’t doing the Father’s business, the enemy will try his best to send storms to prevent anyone from doing it!
This summer I experienced a windstorm of my own. Two of my dear sisters passed away, within two months of each other. I helped care for one of them for a short time before she departed, and although I am thankful and rejoicing knowing that both of them are soooo happy in Heaven now, a windstorm raged within me for days! The storm was in my mind and my emotions.
The days following my second sister’s passing, there were times I had to really fight to stay focused and not get overwhelmed with all the things that still need to get done. Even worse, when people thanked me for taking care of her and said things like: you were the best sister, or you are a wonderful example to me, or thank you for showing her the true love of the Father, etc., etc., that’s when I would cry, cringe and get pounded in my head and emotions by violent windstorms of guilt, shame and regret!
For what? For falling short of what I could’ve done better for my sister, for not always being patient and kind like Jesus, for not spending more time with her before she got ill, etc., etc., etc.! All the miserable “could’ve…should’ve…and would’ve” thoughts and emotions! Yeah, the jerk devil is a maniac, and he assaulted me with accusations that threatened to rob my peace, steal my joy and sink my ship!
BUT thank God for His mercy and grace and my Secret Place! One day when those thoughts and feelings of guilt, shame and regret tried to buffet me, I told my husband that I needed to take a break and take care of something! It was there in my secret place that I came before the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit…humble, honest, seeking, weeping, wailing and broken. I cried, questioned, confessed, repented, declared, sang, shouted, and listened. Among so many other wonderful things God told me that day, here are some important truths He shared:
1. When you were weak, I was strong for both of you, and when you fell short,My love got your back! When they thank you, they’re thanking Me!
2. Guilt, shame and regret deny the power of My Blood, so don’t live in the Land of Regret! Your sister is free and forever with Me!
3. Yes, there are things you could’ve, should’ve and would’ve done, but fear not! Your sister is with Me and she will be forever thankful that you did the one thing that mattered most: you led her to Me!
Wow! In my secret place I became hilariously happy, joyfully strengthened and totally set free!
Today the reality of Heaven is clearer, nearer and dearer to me than ever before! I have a righteous rage for souls and know that I am on the other side. I passionately win souls and make disciples for Kingdom purpose, and I fulfill my God-given destiny!
Don’t deny the power and pleasure of your secret place! In our secret place we come clean and conquer fear! In our secret place we grow and grow up! In our secret place we shout at the storms and command them to stop and shut up! In our secret place, we are rescued from shipwreck! In our secret place, WE FLOURISH and GET TO THE OTHER SIDE! (Lani Simmons)
TODAY’S DECLARATION
“Jesus is in my boat. He is the Captain of my life. He is the Anchor of my soul. He never leaves me or forsakes me. Storms don’t last. I shout at storms and tell them to stop and shut up! I’m free to fulfill Kingdom purpose and my God-given destiny!”
TODAY’S BIBLE READING
- Old Testament: Isaiah 40-41; Proverbs 25:15-28
- New Testament: Luke 23:13-25; Hebrews 9:1-10
