“...OTHER LITTLE BOATS" Mark 4:35-41 (v.36)
This little phrase is often overlooked and somewhat overshadowed by the more spectacular events mentioned in the account.
I. THE REALITY OF THE STORM!
Storms on the Sea of Galilee (as on the “sea of life”) are all too common. No big deal…unless and until we are caught in one. We have often heard it said: “A minor operation is one the other fellow is going to have but when you face the same procedure…it is a major operation!
There are storms of adversity, suffering, sorrow, and temptation, distress just to name a few.
II. WHY DO THESE STORMS COME IN OUR LIVES?
1. Some-times we cannot understand…and this is hard to bear.
2. Some-times we can understand: To bring us back to God.
George Matheson studied to be a doctor. He was a brilliant student but contracted a strange illness and became totally blind in less than a month. His fiancée refused to marry him. He could not practice medicine. God called him to preach and he became one of England’s greatest preachers.
Fanny Crosby, totally blind, yet her spiritual sight is revealed in the many hymns she wrote.
Paul could not understand “the thorn in the flesh” that he prayed three times that God would remove, but He didn’t. (II Corinthians 12:7-10)
III. OTHER LITTLE BOATS ARE IN THE STORM ALSO!
Often we think only of ourselves…our problem…our trial but we need to be mindful that the world is filled with sorrow, pain and adversity.
IV. THE BLESSING OF HAVING JESUS IN YOUR BOAT!
1. You need never fear any storm you encounter if Jesus is in your boat.
2. The other little boats caught out in the storm profited by the presence of the Lord in the disciples’ boat…so with us!
