"In the midst of storms, or at the point of decision, God may "sleep" (be unresponsive to our petitions) for at least a couple of reasons: 1.The storm or situation needs to play out. Possibly God is using the situation to help us reach our destination. The disciples were attempting to go across to the other side, and though the storm was threatening, was it possible that the winds would assist them in their journey? Maybe. 2. We are to stop the storm or make the decision ourselves. This is the scenario more often than we realize. It's extremely common for my wife and me to make decisions, to power through obstacles and deal with attack without nervously yelling for Jesus to wake up and come to the rescue. We've been granted authority to bring the resolution ourselves. Don't forget, this is only possible since we are in relationship with Jesus and we are submitted to his plan for our lives. It's possible that the disciples could have silenced the storm themselves. Jesus' stern reaction to them awakening him revealed that they needed to relax and know that all will be well, whether they rode the storm out or commanded it to end." -- John Burton
The man-centered theology is now being developed fully. God does not sleep nor does He delay in answering. What Burton misses here is that sometimes the answer is no, or not now. He is right with point number one. Sometimes God is still teaching us in the storm. That teaching however is produced through faith and prayer. It is forged by relying upon God when we need to the most -- not arrogantly thinking we can handle this one on our own. Point number two however is horrifically bad. We are to stop the storm? Really? So we have the same power now as Jesus to stand up and rebuke the storm? It sounds like someone wants to ascend to the throne of the Most High. Mr. and Mrs. Burton have been granted zero authority in this scenario. How ironic that he believes it is because he is in relationship with Jesus that He doesn't need Him. It was not possible for the disciples to silence the storm themselves. How do we know this? Because it is not in the story! Beloved this was a story about Jesus Christ -- not us. The earth is subject to God not to ourselves. Lastly here, the response of Jesus was not a stern reaction. It was a teachable moment for the disciples.
"But let him ask in faith, without wavering. For he who wavers is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed with the wind. Let not that man think that he will receive anything from the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:6-8). The disciples were afraid. They doubted. They were blown and tossed by the wind and the waves. If they would have responded in faith, the wind and the waves would have been under their command and would have either settled down or carried them exactly where they needed to go--to the other side. what kind of Man is He, that even the wind and the sea obey Him" (Mark 4:35-41). Instead of being asked, "Why are you so afraid?" people will be asking about us, "What kind of man [or woman] is [this]?" -- John Burton
Yes! This verse from James is the point! Jesus is saying ask in faith not in panicked unbelief. But we still must ask. Not relax in our bloated sense of self-importance and authority. Unfortunately, Burton then jumps the shark and usurps what belongs to God alone. We do not respond in faith to the storm. We respond in faith to God. Burton is teaching a very dangerous doctrine of devils here as old as recorded history. If you bite the fruit your eyes will be open and you will be like God. If you just respond in faith in yourself and your sense of authority then you too will be like God and the wind and waves will have to bow down to you as well. You will be so god-like, that the witnesses will not be asking about the sleeping Jesus. No. They will be asking what kind of man are you! That even the winds and waves obey you. Wow. To call this self-absorbed heresy is unfair to heresy.
"The passage indicates that there were other boats in the storm as well. The story most probably should have been quite different. With Jesus still asleep, those on the other boats would have pointed to the disciples and fearfully and joyfully asked with great passion, "Who then is this!"
The answer would have been remarkable as they directed everyone's attention to a sleeping savior. Jesus would receive all the glory and his power would have been undeniable--calming the storm as he slept, manifesting his plan through the authority of his followers." -- John Burton
Only in the wickedly deceitful heart of man can one think that people being amazed at us is giving glory to God. He does not need us to manifest His plans beloved. He is God alone.
"Knowing Our Authority Is Critical. It's important that I make it doubly clear that I in no way am attempting to say we are to advance without Jesus or without living a life of fervent prayer. We must be so intimately connected to Jesus on a continual basis, that our prayer shifts from mostly needy, clueless and concerned to mostly relational. We can pray in the Spirit, make decrees and declarations and legislate from a place of great strength and spiritual authority because of our life of relational prayer and intercession. Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases. 2 And He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick (Luke 9:1-2). When casting out demons or praying for the sick, we never have to go to God petitioning Him to deliver the oppressed or make the sick whole. Why? We can let God "sleep" and do it ourselves. We are to cast the demons out. We are to heal the sick." -- John Burton
