Elisabeth Elliott tells the story of a time when she was riding in the car with her son-in-law and two year-old grandson, and her son-in-law decided to get the car washed. It was an automatic car wash, and the little boy had never experienced such an event. As they entered the carwash and the various devices began making noise and drawing close to the car, the child's eyes widened, and fear showed on his face. Then he looked on the face of his father.
With each new unknown threatening device his face showed fear and he looked on the face of his father, but he never broke down. At last the ordeal was over, the car exited the car wash into the sunshine, and the little boy smiled; he had never cried. Elisabeth says, "I thought about the fact that it was because he knew his father, and never had his father given him reason not to trust him. We have a Heavenly Father whom we need to learn to trust. There is no remedy for fear, except trust. There isn't any other remedy."
In the Gospel of Mark we read the account of Jesus and the disciples in a boat, crossing the Sea of Galilee. It was evening and a "great windstorm arose". Waves were breaking into the boat, putting all the passengers at risk. The disciples were in a panic. Jesus, however, was not in a panic. In fact, He was asleep in the stern. Judging by the words the twelve spoke to Jesus when they woke Him, they assumed He did not care about them and that they were about to perish, even though He had clearly said to them before they left the shore, "Let us go across to the other side." His plan was to cross the Sea of Galilee, and He would certainly deliver them safely. And this He did. Jesus rebuked the storm and commanded the sea to be still. Then he rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith. David Guzik writes:
"Jesus could say they had no faith because they forgot the big picture. The disciples should have known that God would not allow the Messiah to perish in a boat crossing the Sea of Galilee. Could the story of Jesus possibly end with Him drowning in a boat accident on the Sea of Galilee?"
It's perhaps easy to judge the wavering faith of the disciples, yet don't we exhibit the same weakness? When we face the storms of life (of which there are many in the world today), what is our response? Too worry and fret, and expect the worst? Or is to trust in the goodness, mercy and power of our Savior to bring us safely through the storm to a place of peace? It takes faith to believe God for His promises, to look to His face and remember that He has never failed us. May our faith be strengthened more and more each day, so that in the midst of great storms we can experience the peace of Christ.
Today's music video Peace Be Still by Hope Darst is a prayer to the One who calms the storms of our life. I pray it will encourage you.
I love you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm praying for you.
Although there is much to fear in the world today, my heart is at peace, knowing that my Father knows what is happening and is watching over me. What is the worst that can happen, I perish and go home to Him? What a blessed thing that would be.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post my friend.
Blessings,
Betsy