Trusting Jesus in Life’s Uncertainty
Have you ever had a day when you experienced something amazing, only later to find yourself in the middle of a storm? Maybe it was a day when you had the joy of being with friends or family on a vacation, only to get a call with the results of a test, which started a treatment journey you never had imagined? In the course of a few minutes, you went from the blessing and joy of community straight into a storm.
The disciples had many days like that. In Mark 6, we find the disciples having one of those days. Jesus had encouraged the twelve to all get in the boat and go away somewhere to get some rest and find refreshment in the presence of the Lord and with each other. When they came ashore with that in mind, they discovered that the crowds that had been following Jesus were waiting for them. Respite turned into crowd management that included thousands of people and no event planner nearby with food trucks! They were in the middle of nowhere with a crowd that was hungry to hear a sermon and in need of a meal.
Traveling with Jesus, the disciples had learned that there was no shortage of surprises. Water to wine was certainly an unexpected miracle. Now the disciples would hear Jesus tell them to feed the thousands who had greeted them, and all the food they could scrape together was barely enough for one person. The disciples went from panic over how to do what Jesus had asked of them to praise and wonder at what Jesus could do when they simply obeyed and offered what they had. They were amazed at the power and the generosity of Jesus time and time again.
When the feast of bread and fish was finished, Jesus instructed his disciples to get in the boat and go on to the other side of the shore to Bethsaida. In the darkest hour of the night, they faced an unexpected and difficult storm, even for experienced fishermen. In just a few hours of time, the disciples had gone from the miracle of the Lord’s provision to the madness of this storm. And in the storm, Jesus was nowhere to be seen.
Storms bring chaos and stir fear. It doesn’t matter whether it is a financial storm, a family crisis, or an unexpected diagnosis. In a storm, we easily lose our bearings and may wonder “Where is Jesus when I need him?” The pace of a crisis can easily cause us to lose perspective and sometimes make our faith waiver. In a storm, it is hard to know what to do. We long for the storm to be over, but when and how it ends is out of our control. In a storm, we discover how little power and control we have over things.
When the disciples saw what appeared to be a ghost walking on the water, they cried out in full panic. And immediately Jesus spoke to them: “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” Often easier said than done, especially in the uncertainties and unpredictability of storms of any kind.
What is worth noting is that while the disciples didn’t think Jesus knew what was going on and was anywhere nearby, they were wrong on both accounts. Jesus saw them struggling in the head wind, and when they cried out, he stepped into the boat with them and calmed the storm.
There will be times when we think God doesn’t know what we are going through. And there are times we aren’t sure he is within reach or can help us. But if we review our past experiences and remind ourselves of all the promises in scripture where we read over and over again that God is always watching, listening, and available, then we too can know his comfort when we simply call out his name.
Father, thank you for the promise in the Psalms that you are near us in all our troubles and that you will deliver us out of them all. Jesus, we trust you. Amen
Your Time with God’s Word
Mark 6:45-51; Psalm 34:17-19 ESV
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