Thursday, February 20

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

Leviticus 9:7–10:20

Mark 4:26–5:20

Psalm 37:30–40

Proverbs 10:6,7

 

 

“That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’  Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat.  There were also other boats with him.  A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.  Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.  The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’

 

“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet!  Be still!’  Then the wind died down, and it was completely calm.

 

“He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?’

 

“They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this?  Even the wind and waves obey him!’” (Mark 4:35–41)

 

“The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord;

                he is their stronghold in time of trouble.

The Lord helps them and delivers them;

                he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,

                because they take refuge in him.” (Psalm 37:39,40)

 

 

These two passages from Thursday’s reading touch upon God’s sovereignty over nature and human events. As Augustine explains, “nothing, therefore, happens unless the Omnipotent wills it to happen: he either permits it to happen, or he brings it about himself.”

 

Trusting God demands that we understand His control, power, and goodness.  In each characteristic, we understand that God is fully in control, completely powerful, and unfailingly good.  The outcomes from this last element may appear mixed or difficult, however, from our human perspective.  Still, we may trust that God is working out events and situations for His purposes:  to bring His children into conformity with His Son (Romans 8:28,29).

 

In the storm on the lake, the disciples experience the emotions that we would likely show.  Yet, Jesus remains completely calm, even able to sleep through the storm!  His two questions – “Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?” – strike me in the heart because I definitely waver in the face of life’s storms.

 

This wavering clearly points to an area where we may grow:  strengthening our faith.  Exercise physiology teaches that, in working out, we strengthen our muscles by breaking them down, by exerting them.  Our endurance and strength grow as we push ourselves to greater goals.  Resistance training becomes more effective as we continue to increase weight.

 

Even in the whirlwind, the disciples recognize that Jesus calmed the storm Himself.  His very Presence may become an anchor and “stronghold” for us in our hours of tempest:  “God is our refuge and strength,/ an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)  Also, Proverbs 18:10 promises:  “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

 

 

Lord Jesus, may we experience a deeper sense of Your Presence.  Help us to cling to You and to take Your yoke upon us in our hours of tempest.  Turn our eyes to Your sovereign control and goodness.  Deepen our trust in Your Word and Your all-sufficient grace.  May we love You and serve You this day and each day.  We love You and surrender our lives to You as living sacrifices.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we may walk according to Your statutes and bring honor and glory to Your Name.  In Your holy Name, amen.

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