Has Your Faith Been Settled?

Mark 4:35–41 KJV

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.

⁴⁰ And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

⁴¹ And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

•     The circumstances of the economy and world at large has caused many to fall into a state of fear

•     As Christians, we have no reason to fear.

•     There is tension between these two realities.

•     Our faith should overcome our fear, not the other way around.

Mark 4:40 KJV

⁴⁰ And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?

The disciples are afraid in this text

they are afraid:

•     When the storm is raging

•     When the storm is stilled

•     When Jesus is asleep

•     When Jesus is awake

•     When they don’t get what they want

•     When they do

They thought that Jesus didn’t care because he was asleep

sometimes we can feel like Jesus is asleep in our circumstance

and wonder if he cares

He could sleep in the storm because he was in control

and he is in control today

Psalm 4:8 KJV

⁸ I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: For thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

1 Peter 4:12 KJV

¹² Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

Simply cast your care upon Him

1 Peter 5:7–10 KJV

⁷ Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

⁹ Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

¹⁰ But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

The circumstances that we wish he would just take away

•     are actually an expression of his care for us

He isn’t sleeping

•     he is establishing our faith through the trial

He is in charge and working all these things together for our good.

Our hope at Irvington Bible Baptist Church is that this podcast provided some encouragement and has helped you to develop a closer relationship with the LORD Jesus Christ.