In Mark Chapter 6, verses 48-50 we read that the disciples were out on the sea and Jesus was alone on the land. He had sent them to go ahead of him in the boat across the sea to Bethsaida. Jesus went up into the hills to pray. That night the boat was in the middle of the lake, and Jesus could see the disciples struggling so hard to row their boat against the waves. It was getting very stormy, and the waves were getting stronger. So Jesus went out to them, early in the morning, walking on the water! When they saw him they couldn't know who he was. They thought he was a ghost. After all, who could walk on the water like that? He frightened them. So Jesus spoke to them and said, "Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid." Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind became calm. They were greatly amazed!
That stormy night on the sea of Galilee, Jesus manifested a power beyond anything we can comprehend. It wasn't a "magic trick" that calmed the elements, but the Creator's control over His own creation. They had just been with him that day as he multiplied the fishes and the loaves and fed 5,000 people with only 5 loaves and 2 fish! (read the previous chapter in Mark 6:35-44) The disciples had seen Him work this miracle, and were filled with faith from being a part of it.
The same is true for us! We have had answers to prayers and our faith is built up. We know by personal experience that God loves us and cares for us. Yet in the middle of the night, when the storm rages most fiercely, we still cry out with fear.
How did Jesus respond to the disciples' fearful cries? Did he tell them to buck up and stop being babies? No, he told them to have courage. Then he climbed into the boat and calmed the wind. And that's the way he treats us, speaking a word of courage, assuring us of his presence, and calming our souls. We may feel that we are alone on a dark night, in the middle of an angry sea, but the truth is that God sees us no matter where we are or what we are going through. Just as Jesus walked on the water to come to the disciples in the experience of the storm, he can use the very problems we experience in order to come to us and calm our fears.
So, when you are in the middle of the storms of life, just know Jesus is there with you - he's in the boat with you - and when you recognize Him, He will calm your storms. Just know that.
3 comments:
Very well said! Great teaching, Lonnie. I am afraid that I am very much like the disciples in the boat -- afraid of the storm and not recognizing God in its midst. But, He is there ... ALWAYS.
God never gives up on us, even when we have given up on ourselves. Thanks for the words and the wisdom, mom.
Isn't that the truth? I know for sure that when there's a storm raging around me, I have a very hard time focusing on Him. And I know He is the one who can calm the storm. I still seem to have to do all my fretting anyway. I am going to try to remember these words I have written here the next time I find myself bobbing around in the rough sea, trying to paddle myself out of it! I'm going to be sure to invite Jesus into my boat with me! What a privilege we have in knowing this, don't you think? Following Jesus is such a marvelous decision! I'm glad I made it, aren't you?
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