The Voice Above the Storm

Jesus: His Presence Is Greater Than Our Fear 

Did God really say? Genesis 3:1 (NIV) 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 (NIV) 

All things can be (are possible) to him who believes! At once the father of the boy gave [an eager, piercing, inarticulate] cry with tears, and he said, Lord, I believe! [Constantly] help my weakness of faith! Mark 9:23–24 (AMP)  

The presence of fear does not mean you have no faith. Fear visits everyone. But make your fear a visitor and not a resident. — Max Lucado 

Which voice holds greater authority in my life, the storm or Jesus? 

On that day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took Him with them in the boat, just as He was. And other boats were with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And He awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” Mark 4:35–41 (ESV) 

The Storm Outside, the Fear Inside 

In every storm, Jesus has the last word. 

The Word Before the Wind 

He said to His disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’ Mark 4:35 (NIV) 

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (NIV) 

Asleep, Not Absent 

Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. Mk 4:38 (NIV) 

The disciples woke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’ Mk 4:38 (NIV) 

Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us for ever. Psalm 44:23 (NIV) 

Two Sleepers, Two Storms 

 All the sailors were afraid… But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. The captain went to him and said, ‘How can you sleep?’ Jonah 1:4–6 (NIV) 

They had His promise: He had said, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’  

They had His presence: He was in the stern, asleep.  

They had His peace: Peace! Be still! 

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 NIV) 

One Sentence Louder Than the Sea 

He awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39 (ESV)  

‘Be quiet!’ said Jesus sternly. ‘Come out of him!’ Mark 1:25 (NIV) 

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. …He guided them to their desired haven. Psalm 107:28–30 (NIV) 

My sheep listen to My voice. John 10:27 (NIV) 

From a Great Storm to Great Awe 

Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith? Mark 4:40 (NIV) 

Holy awe cures anxious fear.  

Declaration 

I believe Jesus is who He says He is.[Text Wrapping Break](John 8:58; John 14:6; Hebrews 13:8) 

He is faithful in every season, present in every storm and powerful in every circumstance.[Text Wrapping Break](Deuteronomy 7:9; Isaiah 43:2; Mark 4:39–41) 

His character is trustworthy, and His presence is with me.[Text Wrapping Break](Psalm 145:13; Hebrews 13:5) 

By the power of the Holy Spirit, I trust in who Jesus is.[Text Wrapping Break](Romans 15:13; 1 Corinthians 12:3) 

Today, I choose to look to Him, follow Him, and believe in Him.[Text Wrapping Break](Hebrews 12:2; Luke 9:23; John 20:29)