Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 25, 2023: SOAP #4832: Numbers 17-18; Psalm 29; Mark 4

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 4:35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

OBSERVATION:  Mark, the author of this gospel, was not one of the apostles, so he was not with them during this event.  Someone who was, relayed the story to Mark and he included it in his gospel.  That other boats were present made an impression in his mind.  The Holy Spirit inspired Mark to include the single line: “There were also other boats with him.”  They would have been in the middle of the “furious squall.”  Their boats would have also been “nearly swamped.”  They would have also benefited from the “calm.”

APPLICATION: I have noticed how people with a storm raging in their lives can trigger storms in the lives of those around them.  I want to have the Storm-calmer so in charge of my life that their storms do not affect me. 

More than that, I want the presence of the Storm-calmer in my life to bring peace to those around me.

May people enjoy sailing in the calm waters that surround my boat.  It will give me opportunity to introduce them to the One who calms the waters. 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, may the presence of the Holy Spirit within me maintain peace in me, and use me to introduce them to Jesus, the Storm-calmer.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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