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Mark 4:35-41 – On that day, when evening had come, [Jesus] said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" (NRSV)
It was just one of those days on the boat. The calm became a stiffening breeze, the breeze became a blow, and the blow just got stronger and stronger. We were in a race on the Bras d'Or Lakes of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, and we were fairly new to the boat. We weren't really certain how much wind it could take, especially in a race and with little crew. It didn't take much of a conversation to decide to change jibs, even though it meant that we'd be slower. I had to go forward to the bow to bring down the genoa and set a storm jib. I have to admit that it was a scary experience as the bow crashed through waves and I lost my balance time and again.
The jib was finally set, I made my way back to the tiller, and we resumed the race. We actually came third in that race, but that meant little as I thought of the winds and waves that we had faced and the fear that had followed every footstep from bow to stern.
Some friends of Jesus found themselves in such a storm and had the same reaction that I did: fear. Only the presence of Jesus could calm those fears and let them find that faith can overcome both wind and wave.
You may never find yourself afloat on a boat, but you will find yourself in many situations where the storms threaten you, the winds overwhelm you, and the waves intimidate you. The presence of Jesus transforms many situations and allows faith to rise above fear.
Prayer: God, You are our refuge and strength, our help in the time of trouble, whatever that trouble may be. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change due to our abuse and neglect, though earthquake, wind, and pandemic threaten us, though waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with tumult. Help us to be still and know that You are with us: we are not alone! Amen.
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Encouraging thoughts, Kenn.
Good thoughts and reminders, thanks.
Great reminder, Ken! Thanks, and may God bring you many blessings!
Yes, well illustrated and said Kenn. Thank you… yes we can, with God’s help!!
Amen and amen, Ken. No matter what, the Lord Jesus is our anchor! Blessings.
Kenn,
Thank you for the reminder to be prepared with Christ for any storm in life.
Grateful for this share of your experience, strength, and hope, Kenn. Beautiful and honest today. Thank you for this Storm Warning.
Thanks for this devotion Kenn. As a daughter and sister of boat owners I recognize how fearful we can become and how we can relate to the disciples.
Blessings.
While we are in the middle of a hot, dry Texas summer, I found myself wishing for such a scene as you described… well, not quite. Your illustration was apt, and your thoughts appreciated. Thank you.
(Texas)
Our church performed a play called “The Three Trees” One of the trees became the mast of this ship. When “Jesus” raised his hand and calmed the sea, the audience was absolutely silent. It was a God moment.
Thank you for writing your perspective on this passage. Keep safe.
Good morning Kenneth. Thank you for your devotional wisdom. Many years ago, I sailed in N.S. Beautiful part of Canada. After winning my late wife and I toured Bell’s museum. He was certainly a God gifted man.
Blessings,
(Ontario)
Dear Kenn,
Thanks, you for this wonderful devotional. Your prayer at the end filled me with such hope and joy. I do believe I will be memorizing it.
I’ve always wanted to go sailing with the wind in my face. It must be quite the experience. Please stay safe and healthy.
God bless you.
Greetings Kenn,
Thank you for writing today’s devotional. We face so many different and unplanned circumstances in daily life, but faith in knowing our loving saviour is our strength and refuge certainly helps us through the situations. We need be ever thankful for His care and comfort.
Blessings for your mindful writing today.
(B.C.)
This is timely. Last weekend everything went sideways when my husband’s wallet was stolen.
I saw him spending anxious hours trying to move the process of restoring his cards, protecting his identity, ahead. Again, and again I had to remind myself that God knows the situation and will protect us.
Almost a week later, the situation is calm; we’ve made it through another storm with His help.
“It’s only money” I kept thinking. I pray we can hang in when the really bad things happen…the big C, dementia, end of life, you get the picture, a good lesson in trust.
Many thanks for this great reminder, we can trust! Blessings,
(BC)