Storms in Life
Mark 4:37-39
"And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."
Perhaps I should have included more of the scripture than I did. The entire chapter gives a fuller background to the above quoted scripture. However, note that in the midst of the storm, the Master is asleep in the ship on a pillow. He's at peace! The disciples are contending with the storm, rowing or bailing out the water, or whatever else they thought might help. Eventually they wake Him and ask, "Carest thou not that we perish?"
A week ago today we had a wind storm that blew over or broke at least twelve trees next to our house. We were not home to observe this event. Yes, there are storms that are weather or natural phenomenon related that we may experience. That is not what is on my heart this evening.
There are storms that occur in our personal lives, many of which are unannounced. I'm sure that some we bring on ourselves also.
We may face financial reverses, health issues, relationship struggles, loss of a loved one in death or maybe a wayward relative or some other troubling or terrifying storm. It is our tendency to try to work our way through the fog of these storms in our lives and grow frustrated and irritable because we are not able to calm the storm.
The disciples eventually went to Jesus. That is exactly what He wants us to do today in the midst our storms. He is not a magic genie that we order around for our own purposes, but He is the One who is able to meet us in our need and provide the answer to our dilemma.
Matthew records for us Jesus extending an invitation, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." This is often thought of as an invitation to lost sinners to come to repentance and life in Christ. This is true, but it is also an invitation to the redeemed to come to rest in Him in the midst of their storms in life.
Let us do as the disciples did and come to Jesus. Even though their question indicates doubt on their part as to His care, they asked, he answered and then asked them two probing questions. His responding to us always has as its ultimate goal of increasing our faith. Yes, even in our doubts and questions come to Jesus and allow Him to minister to our needs.
And Keep Looking Up!
Ron
"And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."
Perhaps I should have included more of the scripture than I did. The entire chapter gives a fuller background to the above quoted scripture. However, note that in the midst of the storm, the Master is asleep in the ship on a pillow. He's at peace! The disciples are contending with the storm, rowing or bailing out the water, or whatever else they thought might help. Eventually they wake Him and ask, "Carest thou not that we perish?"
A week ago today we had a wind storm that blew over or broke at least twelve trees next to our house. We were not home to observe this event. Yes, there are storms that are weather or natural phenomenon related that we may experience. That is not what is on my heart this evening.
There are storms that occur in our personal lives, many of which are unannounced. I'm sure that some we bring on ourselves also.
We may face financial reverses, health issues, relationship struggles, loss of a loved one in death or maybe a wayward relative or some other troubling or terrifying storm. It is our tendency to try to work our way through the fog of these storms in our lives and grow frustrated and irritable because we are not able to calm the storm.
The disciples eventually went to Jesus. That is exactly what He wants us to do today in the midst our storms. He is not a magic genie that we order around for our own purposes, but He is the One who is able to meet us in our need and provide the answer to our dilemma.
Matthew records for us Jesus extending an invitation, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." This is often thought of as an invitation to lost sinners to come to repentance and life in Christ. This is true, but it is also an invitation to the redeemed to come to rest in Him in the midst of their storms in life.
Let us do as the disciples did and come to Jesus. Even though their question indicates doubt on their part as to His care, they asked, he answered and then asked them two probing questions. His responding to us always has as its ultimate goal of increasing our faith. Yes, even in our doubts and questions come to Jesus and allow Him to minister to our needs.
And Keep Looking Up!
Ron
posted by Ron | 9:15 PM
2 Comments:
What are the two probing questions that Jesus asked his disciples that you are referring to in the last paragraph?
ML
Verse 40. "Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?"
Post a Comment
<< Home