FAITH OVER FEAR

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭8‬:‭23‬-‭27‬

“And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!”

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Do you remember a moment when you feared for your life? The disciples were in that position in this passage. The boat was filled with water from great waves. Jesus was asleep, so they came and woke Him up and asked if He cared that they were all about to die. The parallel passage in Mark explains that Jesus responded by asking them two questions.

1. Why are ye so fearful?

This passage makes me think a lot. Why would Jesus ask them that question? Why would God put them in this position? It seems reasonable to fear if the boat is about to sink and they are all about to die! However the reason for this question is revealed by the next question…

2. How is it that ye have no faith?

Peter would have likely been on this boat fearing for his life. Yet in II Peter 2:15 he says this, “Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.” It seems that Peter sees death coming once again, but he’s not that concerned. How?

Peter traded fear for faith! Fear turns into faith the closer he walked with Christ and learned about His power. In that moment the disciples realized that there was a power greater than the storm, greater than any difficulty that they could ever face. In fact in the book of Mark, It says, “And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Jesus would instruct them later in Matthew 10 by saying, “Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

If we are going to be used by the Lord as the disciples were, God must be in His proper place in our lives. Fear, anxiety, worry and stress are all signs of a lack of faith. No matter how “reasonable” our fear may seem… God is greater! We need to trust Him more and we will find rest in the storm and peace that passes all understanding.