Be Not Afraid

On two occasions (Mark 4:35-39 and Matthew 14:22-27) the Lord’s disciples were caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee. The first time Jesus was asleep in the stern of the boat. In their fear they waked Him, asking, “Carest Thou not that we perish?” He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Peace, be still.” With the simple language of divine authority He silenced the tempest and calmed the sea.

On the other occasion the disciples were in the boat without Jesus, and He came to them walking on the troubled sea. This time He did not speak to the wind or the sea, but to them. “It is I; be not afraid.” He had demonstrated His power over the storm once. Now His very presence should bring them peace.

Christ is still able to quiet the tempest and subdue storms. He can still work the miracle of bringing peace out of turmoil in our lives, but it is not always His will
to do so. When He permits the storm to rage, His very presence in the lives of those who know and love Him brings peace and dispels fear in the heart.

It is a wonderful thing to know the Saviour who is able to subdue the storms of life. It is even more wonderful to have a Lord who can give inward peace and remove fear in the storm when it is not His will to subdue it. In such a time the Lord comes to His own, walking on the waves to impart within their hearts a calm in amazing contrast to the engulfing tempest.

Above the sound of the storm He speaks to His own, “It is I; be not afraid.” “My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

—From As the Small Rain