June 10: Enjoying His Peace.
HIS WATCHFULNESS.
"Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"--Mark 4:40
My grandparents lived in a small village, and as a child I loved visiting them. There was a large hospital with a swimming pool next to it, and I used to spend most of my days there because it was such a treat for me. But that section of the country was prone to sudden summer storms that could be quite violent. So, as soon as I would see that the clouds were getting dark, I would start running towards my grandparents' place, which was a couple of miles from the hospital. And I was always certain that my mom would be waiting for me.
The disciples encountered a severe storm, with a "fierce gale of wind," and they couldn't control their boat (Mark 4:37). These experienced fishermen were running out of options; they were sure that they were perishing. Jesus was sleeping in the stern, on the pillow usually found under the cozswain's seat. There is no doubt that the disciples were terrified of the storm, and that's why they woke Him up. Mark tells us that aside from their fear, they were struggling with something else, which is revealed in their rebuke of Jesus: "They woke Him up. and said to Him, 'Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?' " (verse 38). They were doubting Jesus' personal interest in them, questioning His vigilance and watchfulness over them. Does it matter to you that we are dying? That we have no way out? Do you care? How often this question arises in our minds when we face difficulties that we don't understand. But Jesus is always watchful of His children in the storm. After stilling the tempest, Jesus addressed them: "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (verse 40). After all you have witnessed of my power and love, do you still doubt if I care? Do you still wonder if I will act on your behalf? In a storm, we must be absolutely certain of God's care for us, otherwise, what do we have left? An author suggested adding the word "personally" to 1 Peter 5:7 in order to internalize this truth: "Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He personally cares for you." He personally cares, never doubt it. And yes! He cared so much, that He died in our place!
My Response:______________________________________________________________
HIS WATCHFULNESS.
"Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"--Mark 4:40
My grandparents lived in a small village, and as a child I loved visiting them. There was a large hospital with a swimming pool next to it, and I used to spend most of my days there because it was such a treat for me. But that section of the country was prone to sudden summer storms that could be quite violent. So, as soon as I would see that the clouds were getting dark, I would start running towards my grandparents' place, which was a couple of miles from the hospital. And I was always certain that my mom would be waiting for me.
The disciples encountered a severe storm, with a "fierce gale of wind," and they couldn't control their boat (Mark 4:37). These experienced fishermen were running out of options; they were sure that they were perishing. Jesus was sleeping in the stern, on the pillow usually found under the cozswain's seat. There is no doubt that the disciples were terrified of the storm, and that's why they woke Him up. Mark tells us that aside from their fear, they were struggling with something else, which is revealed in their rebuke of Jesus: "They woke Him up. and said to Him, 'Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?' " (verse 38). They were doubting Jesus' personal interest in them, questioning His vigilance and watchfulness over them. Does it matter to you that we are dying? That we have no way out? Do you care? How often this question arises in our minds when we face difficulties that we don't understand. But Jesus is always watchful of His children in the storm. After stilling the tempest, Jesus addressed them: "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (verse 40). After all you have witnessed of my power and love, do you still doubt if I care? Do you still wonder if I will act on your behalf? In a storm, we must be absolutely certain of God's care for us, otherwise, what do we have left? An author suggested adding the word "personally" to 1 Peter 5:7 in order to internalize this truth: "Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He personally cares for you." He personally cares, never doubt it. And yes! He cared so much, that He died in our place!
My Response:______________________________________________________________
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