I forgot to use God’s amazing gift of
choice yesterday when I allowed myself to fret and complain. I focused on
the ‘what could be,’ on ‘what I’m missing right now,’ on the noise of the conflict
that is raging across our land. There is no denying that there are plenty of
reasons for anxious thoughts. While there may be very little I personally can
do to change national policies, to restore economic fortunes, or to address
long standing racial issues, I can live as a man of the Spirit who brings
God’s grace, His wonderful peace, into the corner of the world where I live WHEN
I remember to Whom I belong.
Let’s go to the Gospel and read a story that
Luke was inspired to record for us. It is about a stormy experience that shook
up Jesus’ disciples and gave them revelation. "One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross over to the
other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. On the way
across, Jesus lay down for a nap, and while he was sleeping the wind began to
rise. A fierce storm developed that threatened to swamp them, and they were in
real danger. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going
to drown!” So Jesus rebuked the wind and the raging waves. The storm stopped
and all was calm! Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” And they were
filled with awe and amazement. They said to one another, “Who is this man, that
even the winds and waves obey him?” (Luke 8:22-25, NLT)
Mark, who heard the story from Peter, adds
this detail. When Jesus spoke to the storm, He said "Peace, be still!"
Let’s not over analyze the passage so as
to lose the impact. It is there for one primary reason: to show us the power of Jesus. This same Jesus is my Lord. Is He yours? We can
trust His power for our stormy time or we can be like the disciples in their
panic. “We’re going to drown!” they
screamed as they awakened the Master. Mark tells us that Jesus challenged that
panicky response. "Why are you so afraid? Don't you have any faith?" When I read His words they were addressed to
me in 2020! “Jerry, why are you so
afraid? Don’t you have any faith?”
Note that Jesus did not tell them that the
storm was merely imaginary, nor did He tell them that their concern was
baseless. He showed them that He is greater than storms.
I invited Him to speak to my stormy soul, to our
tempest-tossed nation, to those restless angry crowds of people who are
spilling into the streets of our cities. Jesus, speak peace! It is not for us to tell Him what to do nor
can we predict how He will care for us, but we are assured that HE is
present and active. Will you choose to
trust? Oh, for grace to trust Him when the winds are blowing with hurricane
force. You are not a terrible or faithless Christian if the tempest has
temporarily caused you to lose your assurance of His care.
I remind you, as He
reminds me, we are not helpless victims! We can choose to meditate in His Word.
We can take passages of promise and focus our thoughts. The Psalm shows us how.
"I watch for your ancient landmark words, and know I’m on the right track. ... I set your instructions to music and sing them as I walk
this pilgrim way. I meditate on your name all night, God, treasuring your revelation, O God." (Psalm
119:52-55, The Message)
Has anxiety filled your mind? Is fear the
pre-dominant emotion of the day? Are you letting anger cloud your reason? Make
the choice to trust the LORD of the storm.
The word from the Word will help us to stay
centered in God’s sustaining Presence. “Fear
not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When
you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the
rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will
not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (Isaiah 43:1-3, NIV) Focus today on those three words – “You are
Mine!”
_____________
'Tis
so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just
to take Him at His word.
Just
to rest upon His promise,
Just
to know thus saith the Lord.
I’m
so glad I learned to trust You
Precious
Jesus, Savior, Friend
And
I know that Thou are with me
Will
be with me to the End.
Jesus,
Jesus, how I trust Him,
How
I've proved Him o'er and o'er!
Jesus,
Jesus, precious Jesus;
O
for grace to trust Him more!
-public domain
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