Andrew Wommack Devotional 17 April 2026 – Peace In The Midst Of The Storm

Biblical Context

The Gospel of Mark gives us a quick, real look at Jesus’ life and ministry. It’s often thought to be based on Peter’s own stories, put down by John Mark. Mark’s writing style is direct, moving fast, and it often shows Jesus in action, dealing with people, healing, and teaching. This specific account of Jesus calming the storm is a classic example of Mark’s no-nonsense storytelling, showing Jesus’ power over nature and the disciples’ early struggles with faith. Mark isn’t just telling a nice story; he’s showing us who Jesus really is.

Key Word Study

Let’s look at the word ‘storm’ from our main verse, Mark 4:37. The Greek word used here is ‘lailaps’ (λαῖλαψ). It means a fierce gale or a hurricane-like squall. It’s not just a bit of rough weather; it’s a sudden, strong, whirlwind-like tempest that comes with a lot of noise and force. This type of storm could quickly capsize a small fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee. Understanding ‘lailaps’ helps us see just how dangerous the situation was for the disciples and how deep Jesus’ peace had to be to sleep through it.

Peace In The Midst Of The Storm

The story in Mark 4:37-38 is pretty eye-opening. The boat was getting filled with water, yet Jesus was asleep. This wasn’t some big ship with rooms below deck. It was a small, open fishing boat. That means Jesus must’ve been absolutely soaked and still sleeping. Think about that for a second! It tells us a lot about His humanity and how truly tired He must have been. It also shows He was in a really deep sleep. Doctors tell us that the deeper we sleep, the more rest our bodies get. This is a big clue for us. Jesus kept a tough pace, often only taking time for long prayer nights. He got the most out of His sleep, which helped Him keep going.

Going To The Other Side

Let’s remember what Jesus said before they even set out. He didn’t say, ‘Let’s go out into the middle of the sea and drown in a storm.’ No, He said in Mark 4:35, “Let us pass over unto the other side.” This is a really important detail. His plan wasn’t for them to be lost; it was to get to the destination. The disciples, even though they were committed to Him as their Messiah, just didn’t get His authority yet. They hadn’t figured out that Jesus was Lord, even over the wind and the waves. They saw the problem, but they didn’t see the one in the boat with them who could fix it.

This same misunderstanding happens with many believers today. We’re so good at taking hold of the spiritual parts of salvation – forgiveness, eternal life – but we sometimes miss the physical parts. Things like health and well-being, even financial blessing, are also part of what Jesus bought for us. They’re not separate add-ons; they’re woven into the full package of our salvation.

What You Focus On Determines How You Handle It

Look at the disciples again in Mark 4:38. They woke Jesus up and said, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” They were focused totally on the storm, the danger, and their own fear. They forgot who was in the boat with them. What you choose to focus on – the storm around you, or the Lord who’s right there in the middle of it with you – will change everything about how you handle life’s problems.

Consider the references to other similar events and teachings that show Jesus’ authority:

• Matthew 12:46-50 and Mark 3:31-35 talk about Jesus’ true family being those who do God’s will. This shows a breaking away from traditional thinking, much like how His authority broke traditional expectations.
• Matthew 8:23-27 is Matthew’s telling of this same storm-calming event, showing Jesus’ power.
• Mark 4:35-41 is the full account of the storm we’re studying today, really laying out the disciples’ fear and Jesus’ calm.
• Luke 8:19-26 is Luke’s version of the storm, again highlighting Jesus’ power and the disciples’ wonder.

These passages all make it clear: Jesus has power over everything.

He isn’t asleep about the things you’re facing today. He’s right there in your ‘boat,’ resting, because He knows you’ll both get to the ‘other side.’ His peace isn’t just for Him; it’s yours. You just have to believe His Word and truly rest in His deep love for you.