Mark 4:35-41

³⁵ It happened when evening came that day, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” ³⁶ Then, leaving the crowd behind, they took him just as he was with them in the boat. And other boats were with him. ³⁷ A severe windstorm happened, and the waves were throwing over the boat, so that the boat was already being filled. ³⁸ And he was in the stern, on the cushion, sleeping; but they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, does not the fact that we[1] are being destroyed concern you?” ³⁹ He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and there was an extreme calm. ⁴⁰ He said to them, “Why are you being cowards? Do you not yet have faith?” ⁴¹ And they were fearing an extreme fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea answer to him?”

sleeping Saviour

Sometimes we go through events where we feel like these disciples did. We know our Saviour is with us, but we are scared of what is happening, and we wonder why he does not respond. How could he be sleeping at a time like this?

Jesus rebuked more than the wind that day. He asked his disciples why they were being such cowards. Faith should strengthen us for the hard times. Jesus wants faithful followers who are willing to trust his judgment, even when he chooses not to respond to our pleading prayers.

LORD, make us courageous enough to trust you – especially when fear makes cowards of everyone else.

[1] This is probably an inclusive use of “we”, and the progressive present tense.