Bible Readings: Mark 4:36 to 41

Mark 4:36 leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.

Mark 4:37 a furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.

Mark 4:38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

Mark 4:39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

Mark 4:40 Jesus said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid?, Do you still have no faith?"

Mark 4:41 they were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

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Jesus asked His disciples (1.), "Why are you frightened? (2.), Do you still have no faith?"

• The Bible says, "Faith without actions is dead." in James 2:17 in the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead". But when we live in fear our faith is not functioning.

There are various levels of faith in the bible, but in our spiritual life to prevent you and me from exercising our faith fear works, some fear about their future, some fear for taking examinations and some others for several silly reasons, sometimes forgetfulness is a reason for fear.

How to overcome Fear?

But whatever it may be the bible says in "1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

• In Rev 2:4 yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. The more we love God the more we will be out of all fear.

In Mark 4:40, Jesus was resting, and the disciples were anxious and frightened, they thought that all would drown because of the storm. The disciples of Jesus were the ones who must have spent more time with Jesus, listening to Him, but still they were not able to exercise faith at the times of their trial.

From where does fear come?

• God is not giving us the spirit of fear in 2 Timothy 1:7 "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline."

God doesn't want us to live in fear, but fear creeps in without our knowledge. Fear comes in different ways. What are we supposed to do, when fear comes? In the Old Testament, David had a special place in the Lord’s sight. God called him as man of his own heart. Whenever David feared he went to the Lord and seeked his presence, and during the times of fear he praised God. Bible tells us that God lives among the praises of His People.

Just as light removes darkness, when we invite Jesus into our heart, all the darkness goes away.

We are living in the realm of flesh and that is the reason we do not approach God in times of fear. But we belong to God and his spirit is in our body, therefore let us go to God, seek him in times of our need and the spirit of god which lives in us will lead us to worship him.

Why do we get temptations?

According to the Bible, these temptations are not permanent, they afflict us momentarily. The more we get temptations, the more we get a chance to practice our faith. In Rom 5:3 & 4, Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Apostle Paul says in "Rom 8:17 & 18, And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

What does fear indicate?

In Rev 21:8 "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." So When we fear, God is not in us, fear means we have no faith in Him. We can buy a bible, but we cannot buy faith. When we have Jesus in our heart, we have faith and there is no place for fear.

Instead of approaching Jesus with confidence, the disciples had a negative approach. The phrase ‘still no faith’ that Jesus used indicates that the disciples had fear even when Jesus got up. Negative approach and the murmuring heart cannot help us to go near to the Lord or the miracle we need. Our God is a nice God. But Satan is exalted whenever we we are unable to trust Him and when we confess negative words without any faith on God.

Heb. 11:6, says, Those who seek him with faith He will save them. The name Jesus means ‘Saviour’, He can save us from every situation. In Isaiah, His name is ‘miracle’, God is God because He is able to do miracles.

God can do a miracle if you trust in Him. What is impossible with man, is possible with God. But knowing the weakness of the disciples Jesus first did a miracle so that their dead faith can be revived once again. In Mark 4:41 they were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" Let us not see the natural world and its power but always fix our eyes on the Lord who has created all these things.

• The solutions for fear:

• There is only one way you can come out of fear. By being with Jesus. Jesus lives among the praises of His people. The son of man can set us all free. The deliverance is through worship. The more you worship, the more He lives within you. When you live with god Satan cannot easily dominate you with fear.

• Love God with all your heart and mind. "1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

• Be a righteous man in Prov 28:1 The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

When we fear God we need not to fear for any one. May the Lord help all of us to fear God. So that we may be able to exercise our faith in this world for the glory of God.