And the same day, when the even was come, He saith unto them. “Let us pass over to the other side.” And when they had sent away the multitude, they took Him even as He was in the ship. And there were also with Him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And He was asleep 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 great calm. And He said unto them, “Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?”
Mark 4:35-40
Is this how you feel today?
Does it feel as though you are in the boat and the storm is raging all around you? Is your boat taking on water?
Are you fearful or are you trusting?
Do you begin each day thanking God for another day to serve Him?
Or is your morning prayer something like this –
“Lord, Wake Up! Do Something! Fix this mess we are in.
Are you focused only on how your life has been impacted or are you looking for ways to show others that God is here in the midst of all our troubles?
Remember, if you’ve read the BOOK then you know the outcome of this battle. God wins!
YES there is a virus.
YES people are getting sick.
YES there have been deaths.
But there are also those who haven’t caught the virus. There are those who have it but have no symptoms. There are those who were sick but have now recovered.
And YES there is division in our nation.
We can’t seem to agree on anything.
But this isn’t new. If you read history it has always been so. They just didn’t have the instant communication available today. It took longer for news to travel and to organize opposition. But there was division.
Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Patrick Henry, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and many others – all great men who loved this country but in the struggle to form this “more perfect union” there was great discord. There were some who believed that a strong federal government was needed while others feared too much power at the federal level and wanted the states to have more control.
We are still arguing the same things today. The good news is that we have the freedom to have differing opinions and we can back up our opinions with our vote.
As for the political process, it has also not been easy.
When we lived in Missouri we visited the Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois during our last election. I remember walking through an exhibit showing Lincoln’s presidential campaign. They had you walk through this hallway where there were election posters – all derogatory – protesting his candidacy. And as you walked there were voices – angry voices – shouting vile names and comments vilifying his character. We think of Abraham Lincoln has a great leader but it was not always so with his countrymen.
The more things change the more they stay the same.
So do not despair.
Yes, things are difficult right now.
But we’ve had difficult days before and we are still here.
Yes, the waves are high and crashing over us at times.
God never promised that it would be easy only that it would be worth it.
I am not worried that this ship will sink – at least not until God decides that it should sink. I believe that God has a plan. I don’t have to know the details of His plan. I choose to trust in His plan.
I don’t understand why we have this virus.
I don’t understand how people that I admire and respect can have such differing opinions from my own. But they do.
But the one things that I do understand is the nothing touches me that doesn’t go through God first.
So He either sent it or He allowed it for His purpose.
Paul tells us in Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are called according to His purpose.
Do you believe that?
ALL THINGS – Even this virus – Even having our schedules disrupted – Even having our church programs dramatically altered or even cancelled – Even this election process ?
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are called according to His purpose.
Paul goes on to say in this same chapter: For I am persuaded, that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Did you get that?
NOTHING not a virus not a political system not social unrest
NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE GOD WHO LOVES US
God says, TRUST ME.
Have you trusted in God’s plan of salvation?
Do you believe that you are a sinner?
Do you believe that God sent Jesus to die on the cross for your sin?
Do you believe that Jesus blood can cover your sin?
Do you believe that because Jesus died for you that you can spend eternity in heaven with Him?
If you can trust God to save you from hell can’t you trust Him with everything else?
When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, Peter was the one who resisted. He actually told the Lord, “Thous shalt never wash my feet.” In today’s terms what Peter said was, “You ain’t washing my feet!”
When Jesus told him that it was a requirement, well then Peter wanted a bath! Oh Peter! But Jesus was patient with Peter just as He is patient with each one of us. Jesus told him that although he couldn’t understand what Jesus was doing right now, one day he would understand.
I don’t know about you but I certainly don’t understand what God is doing. But one day I will see it all worked out.
So, we are back to the question we began with.
Are you fearful or are you trusting?
You don’t have to understand.
You just have to trust.
Trust that HE know what He is doing.
Can yo pray with me: Lord, we trust You even when we don’t understand. Lord, we worship You because You are worthy of our praise. Lord, we love You because You first loved us. Lord, we will serve You because we love You.
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