FAITH NOT FEAR

Mark 4:40 "And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?"

Having addressed the disciples' challenging situation, and restored normalcy, Jesus then turned  His attention to His frightened, petrified disciples. He asked them two very soul-searching questions.

The first question was, "Why are ye so fearful?" The question, no doubt, was to get them to reflect on their experiences and analyze their reactions. In essence, the disciples had no need to fear. Why?

1. Jesus, who was the initiator and planner of the sailing trip, was with them throughout the entire ordeal.

2. Jesus said to them, "Let us pass over unto the other side," which meant that their destination was assured. They would 'pass over' and 'not go under.'

3. Jesus does not waste words. Whatever He says, is accomplished.

The second question was, "How is it that ye have no faith?"

1. Faith diminishes when doubt and fear take over. The disciples became fearful when they saw the power of the storm.

2. They forgot the promises of Jesus.

3. Having experienced the miracle of the feeding of five thousand, the disciples' faith in Jesus should have been buoyed.

Like the disciples, when impacted by the trials and problems of life, we become fearful. As our minds become possessed by doubt and fear, we begin to panic, and forget God's promises. Too often, far too often, we are jittery about the present situations and hesitant about the future; but we must always remember how God has led us in the past. He is God of all times-the past, the present, and the future. 

The words of the hymn, 'O For A Faith', are very appropriate.  Stanza 1 states 'O for a faith that will not shrink, though pressed by many a foe......', and  stanza 3 points out, 'A faith that shines more bright and  clear when tempests rage without.....'

May we depend on God to help us to have unshakable faith.