27/02/08

Peace, Be Still

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm - Mark 4:39

Jesus by the event which is narrated in Mark 4:35-39 and Luke 8:22-25, shows us how by faith we can overcome our situations. But what interested me was that in Luke the Sea of Galilee is referred to as a lake, and that there was a storm in a lake? The Sea of Galilee is in fact a fresh water collection which is about 13 miles long by 8 miles wide. It had a depth of up to 150 feet. This lake is connected to the north by the Jordan River.

Why did Luke use the word 'Lake' while Mark identified it as a 'Sea' for this event? The Holy Spirit wants to tell us something special through the Gospel of Luke. A lake is normally identified as a collection of fresh water larger and deeper than a pond. A lake also has the property of having lots of fish water fish breeding in it, if it regularly gets fresh water from streams, small rivers and rains.

In Luke the Sea of Galilee (Sea of Gennesaret - Luke 5:1) is called a lake here because it is odd to have a storm and high waves in a lake. But this lake being very large and the meeting of cool breeze with the warm on it shores, it does happen all of a sudden even today. This lake is to be identified as a Christian. A person living a good life. He is like fresh water collection, rich in fish and having good plantation around him. A Christian remains a lake only it he gets a regular refill of fresh water (Word of God). Even under these circumstances he can go under a test where a storm will suddenly come in his life. At these times he needs to be in peace and know that he has authority over his situation. He needs to know his God and talk to his problem to be still.


[ Prayer for the Day ]

Father God, make me like a lake always full of fresh water with regular refills and abundant in life. But Father give me the presence of mind to be at peace like your Son Jesus when the storms come, to know the authority I have in You. Help me talk to my problems to be still like Jesus spoke to the storm. I ask this in Jesus' might Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]

Mark 4:1, 35-39
1 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.
35 And the same day, when the even was 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?
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Luke 8:22-25
22 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.
23 But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.
24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.
25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.


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