Ministering: A/P Tunji Akinrinde
Text: Mark 4:35-38.
” 35 And the same day, when the even had come, he saith unto them, let us pass over unto the other side. 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. 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 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?” KJV.
In any situation you are going through, always recognize that God always has a plan. As a child of God, there is nothing you are going through that He cannot work for your good (even if caused by Satan). In our above text, Jesus was not in their boat for fun, He knew of the storm afore-hand, and that He was going to show Himself as the “Storm-Stopper”. Many things we go through in life is but an opportunity for the Lord to reveal another dimension of Himself. Never be worried or afraid because the greater One is in your boat. It may appear nothing is happening and everything seems stagnant, I counsel you to call upon Him (like the disciples woke Him up) because He is in your boat (your heart).
In Luke 5, Peter and his business partners toiled all night and caught nothing. By strength shall no man prevail, it is not by power or might (or experience) but by the Spirit of the Lord. It is as we turn to the Lord that He gives us the instruction of launching into the deep. No matter the situation, it is at His word (Rhema word), that brings the multitudes of fish into our nets. Sometimes, His instruction may be unconventional and illogical (just like Peter taught it didn’t make sense to launch into the deep) but recognize, He is the Lord of the Heaven and the Earth Who rules over everything.
God will never forsake you; He said in Isaiah 55:11 that His word (or promise) would never return to Him void. Joseph in Genesis may have taught God had forgotten him, but anytime God shows up, He always shows up BIG! He made a prisoner to become a Prime Minister within 24 hours. That same God is still on the Throne, never turn your back at Him, there’s no help elsewhere!
Only God knows the end from the beginning, He can make the rejected stone become the cornerstone. If they reject you, turn to the Lord, He will never reject you as His redeemed. Your challenges or trials are preparations for the next level; they are to help you build greater confidence and faith in God. Without test, there is no testimony. The bears and the lions are to prepare you for how to destroy Goliath. The tests are for your promotion if you have the right attitude and alignment with God.
What Does it mean to have Faith in God?
- It means to take God at His word. Luke 5:5, John 6:63
- It means to have an eternal mindset rather than worrying over things that have no eternal value but will perish with this temporal world. 2 Tim. 1:12
- It means to have an assurance in God’s goodness. Jeremiah 29:11
- It means to trust, committed and have confidence in God – Heb. 10:35-39
- It means to co-operate with God all the way – Heb. 11:6
- It means to take bold steps. The 4 Lepers in 2 Kings 7
- It means to offer sacrifice to God, like Abel, Abraham, etc.
- It means to receive strength to conceive like Sarah in Heb. 11:11
In closing, 2 Cor. 4:7-10 – But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
God bless you!
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