Hi
How do we as believers respond to storms in our lives? One songwriter says, ‘with Christ in the vessel we can smile at the storms.’ And, though that is valid, smiling or even worshipping is often far from our then thoughts. As we consider today’s Holy Nougat, I pray that we see how we might respond;
“So the captain went down after him. “How can you sleep at a time like this?” he shouted. “Get up and pray to your god! Maybe he will pay attention to us and spare our lives.”” Jonah 1:6 NLT
“Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”” Mark 4:38 NLT
It is believed that sailors were not necessarily swimmers in those times. Which means, the captain, disciples, Jonah and Jesus were unlikely to be swimmers. Death in the watery grave seemed definite.
The boat on which travelled was filled with persons appealing to their gods for protection. To no avail. Amidst the panic; Jonah slept. Even when we have sinned (as Jonah had done); we can ride our storms out; if our trust is placed in the right Source for rescue. The captain didn’t seek Jonah’s rescue; he sought Jonah’s God. It is God Who is our refuge; not the rescuers/teams.
In the other boat, Jesus was on board. No two questions about that. Yet the storms raged. I suspect the disciples expected Jesus to simply fix the problem. As He did for so many others. For He (Jesus) had established Himself as a miracle worker. But here, He was also at risk of drowning and destroying his credibility! Yet amidst the stress of the storm Jesus slept.
Having Jesus IN our boat means Nothing if we are not engaging Jesus to be WITH us through the storms. Resting THROUGH the storms means that we KNOW Who our Refuge is and we willingly give ourselves to the care of our Refuge. We might sustain some injuries; but we are able to overcome. I don’t deny the challenge that this carries; but I do believe that it is the lesson we ought to learn.
May we find rest and refuge in God through each storm we face.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
