Mark 4:35-41
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
When we experience times of anxiety or trial, the feelings are intense. Like a child calling out in the night for a parent, we cry out to the Lord. We expect that God’s answer to our call will be immediate because we are so frightened. If God’s timing is different from our own, we may begin to question God’s love.
The example before us in God’s Word for today shows us that when we have such anxiety, we need to remember that God isn’t far away. He is right with us in our “boat.” And though He may seem to be fast asleep from our perspective, He is aware of our situation. He is helping us to pray and strengthening our proper response to trouble.
If we need any proof of God’s faithful love, we can simply remember the cross of Jesus. There Jesus suffered all things for us, even the fears of the death and hell. He cried out to our heavenly Father, and has shown us the proper response of faith to times of severe trial. We must call upon the Lord, and from the Lord we will receive our salvation, even the resurrection of the dead and life everlasting.
Let Us Pray,
I thank you Lord Jesus for hearing my prayers, and for staying close beside me through all the trials of life. Help me to remain faithful in prayer and trust in you. Please be with friends, family, loved ones, neighbors and all others who are suffering today. Help them through repentance and faith in you to find peace for their souls. In your name I pray. AMEN
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.