40 DAYS VIGIL WITH PRAYER AND FASTING FROM 29TH APRIL OVER 7TH JUNE, 2020 TITLE “MY GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE” HEBREWS 12:29.
Day 32:Saturday 30th May, 2020
Scripture: Matthew 8:23-27
Topic: God the Consuming Fire versus Storm
Text: Mark 4:35-41
Storm can be defined a violent wind; a tempest. thus a storm of wind, is correct language, as the proper sense of the word is rushing, violence.
It can also means violent civil or political commotion; sedition; insurrection; also, clamor; tumult; disturbance of the public peace. It can be called affliction; calamity; distress; adversity. On the last meaning we will draw our attention to mostly in view of this storm. The word storm has come to be used, most improperly.
In viewing the story of Jesus calming the storm is told in the three Synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Jesus had been teaching near the Sea of Galilee. Afterwards, He wanted a respite from the crowds so decided to take a boat with the Apostles to the opposite shore where there were no large towns, [Mark 4:35–36]. The Bible reports not long after they sailed, Jesus fell asleep and a storm arose, Luke 8:23.
Here are two important points that reveal the true humanity of Christ: He needed rest and time away from crowds, and He was so exhausted that even the battering of the boat did not awaken Him, [Matthew 8:24]. These truths should help us realize that Jesus was genuinely human with the same basic needs we all have. Christ’s humanity is part of what qualifies Him to be our merciful intercessor between us and God the Father, Hebrews 2:17.
Although the text doesn’t say which Apostles were with Christ on the boat, it’s probable that seasoned fishermen [at least four of the twelve] were aboard. These men were quite familiar with the ways of the sea; certainly, this was not their first squall on the Sea of Galilee, which was known for its sudden raging storms. Even these professional fishermen were frightened by this storm, to the point of fearing they would die, [Luke 8:24].
The waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But [Jesus] was in the stern, asleep on the cushion, Mark 4:37–38. It’s significant that Jesus’ sleep was deep and sound, even through the storm, which was “already filling” the boat. The Bible says the sleep of a believer will be sweet and peaceful because he knows the Lord is with him, [Proverbs 3:24; Psalm 4:8].
This is why Jesus, when He was awakened, rebuked the disciples with the question “Have you still no faith?” Mark 4:40.
The Apostles’ lack of faith reminds us that even those who lived and walked with Jesus, saw His miracles, and heard His message still found it difficult to be 100 percent faith-filled all the time. In that way, the disciples were a lot like us. However, their lack of faith was rebuked—and, by extension, so is ours. If Jesus was able to rescue the Apostles from the storm, He is also able to rescue us from the storms of everyday life: sickness, job loss, marriage problems, and even the sting of death, 1 Corinthians 15:55.
When Jesus “gave orders to go over to the other side,” [Matthew 8:18], He knew the storm was coming. He is omniscient, [John 2:25]; even with a storm brewing, He decided to launch out to sea. The Lord never promised we will never see a storm in life (as a matter of fact, He has told us to expect trouble, [John 16:33]. Rather, He has promised that He will be with us in the storm. He will never leave His children alone in the midst of trouble; with perseverance they will overcome, Deuteronomy 31:8; James 1:12.
This passage not only reveals Jesus’ true humanity, but also Jesus’ deity because only God can make the “winds and water obey” [Luke 8:25. With one quick word from Christ, the storm abated and the sea became calm, [Mark 4:39]. The Apostles marveled at this powerful display of Jesus’ supernatural ability over the elements, [Luke 8:25]. This can be immensely comforting to the Christian in a storm. Faith in Christ is never misplaced. If He can calm the storms of the sea with one word, He can calm the storms of life as well. No matter what the storm has done in your life, the Lord God is with you to still the storm.
- Prayer Points:
- I command every storm of my life, be calm, in the name of Jesus Christ.
- Every power inflicting me with storm of life, disappear, in the name of Jesus Christ.
- You storm of life, what are you waiting for in my life and my family, disappear by God’s consuming fire now, in the name of Jesus Christ.
- Enough is enough, I have suffered enough, no more your manifestation in my life and my family henceforth, be still now, in the name of Jesus Christ.
- Holy Ghost fire and God’s consuming fire, fight for me now and give me victory henceforth, in the name of Jesus Christ.
- I’m free and liberated now by God’s consuming fire from any form of storm, in the name of Jesus Christ.
- O Lord God, restore unto me seven-fold all that storm have destroyed, in the name of Jesus Christ.
