The title of this study is one of my favorite hymns. Master, the Tempest is Raging. The idea of this hymn, of course, comes from different accounts throughout Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John when Jesus and his disciples are caught amongst a terrible storm. Our context for this study is going to come from Mark 4:35-41. We will also look at the first verse of this hymn as well.
“Master the tempest is raging! The billows are tossing high! The sky is O’er shadowed with blackness, no shelter or help is nigh. Carest thou not that we perish? How canst thou lie asleep? When each moment so madly is threatening a grave in the angry deep?”
Now I don’t know about you, but when I study my Bible or when I develop a lesson I like to have points, so this article is going to have a few of them to break down the scripture and the hymn.
1.) Master, the Tempest is Raging!
The storms of life can sometimes seem a bit too much at times. Sometimes it can feel like a ton of bricks hitting you in the head, and you just want to ask God why. Why is this happening? You might think that whatever it is that you are going through is too much to handle, but what does God speak to us through His word? James 1:12-13, James writing through inspiration that blessed is the man that endures temptation. Hardships in this life make us stronger. It may be difficult to face at that moment in time, but it will only make you stronger. God does not tempt us as James states in verse 13. God loves us and wants what is best for us.
2.) The sky is O’er shadowed with blackness
Darkness has been known since the beginning of time. We know that God created darkness, but He also created this wonderful thing called light. Matthew 5:16 tells us that we, as followers of Jesus, have a light and we must let it shine to the world that is lost in darkness. Jesus is also our light in John 8:12- “I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” When our skies are shadowed with darkness, Jesus is our light.
3.) No shelter or help is near
If you do not know Jesus, life can be very lonely. On the other hand, when you have Jesus, you have fellowship with Him and other Christians. I John 2:7- “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleanses us from all sin.” See? If we want comfort and we want fellowship with Jesus and His followers, we have to be willing to live for Him. Little did His disciples know, Jesus and each other was all the shelter and help they needed during the storm.
4.) Peace Be Still
Worry is an apparent human behavior. Mark 4:38- The disciples were really worried that the waves were going to sink the boat and Jesus was asleep. They wake Him, and He speaks three very simple words, peace be still! Peace is such a beautiful thing, isn’t it? It should give us a sigh of relief. Jesus is peace, and His message is peace. The winds had then ceased, and the waves became calm. Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God; and the peace that surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Just like that Jesus can bring peace to your life. When the storms are raging, darkness surrounds you, when no one is near, Jesus can give you peace.
“The winds and the waves shall obey Thy will; Peace be still! Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea, or demons, or man, or whatever it be no water can swallow the ship where lies The Master of ocean, and earth, and sky: They all shall sweetly obey Thy will; peace, peace, be still.”
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- Setting Our Hearts on Things Above - August 28, 2017
Welcome! We are so glad you stopped by. Come Fill Your Cup is a group of Christian ladies dedicated to equipping women for study and service. We know you are busy and that life’s hectic pace pulls you in so many directions, but you can’t truly be the woman God desires unless you take time to fill your own cup…not with spa days (though we love a good spa!) or the latest novel…but with God’s Holy Word. We want to help you with that! Our goal is to reach you in the midst of your busy day and give you encouragement, education, and fellowship as you strive to live the life God has laid before you. Our prayer is that we can help fill your cup so that you, in turn, can overflow to all those around you. So, as we like to say…come fill your cup, and let it overflow!