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Mark 4:36-41
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 the waves obey him!”
New International Version (NIV)
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Have you ever been in a boat in a storm? Once when fishing with my grandfather, my uncle, my dad and my brothers, we found ourselves in a storm on a lake in the state of Washington. In my uncle’s boat, the wind made short work of our makeshift anchor and blew us into a rocky island. My grandfather, dad and oldest brother had a better anchor and they were not blown into shore. After we got out of the boat, my grandfather told me, “If you find yourself in a storm, you want to be in the boat with the real anchor.”
Jesus slept soundly through the storm. He may have been very tired from the hard work of healing and loving people! On the other hand, he must have felt very secure to sleep in a ship in a storm. Once I was asleep during a tornado in central Texas. The crash and clatter of branches against my window awakened me. Jesus’ sleep offended his disciples who were sure they were about to die. Awakened by their concern, Jesus rebuked the wind and waves and told them not to be afraid.
I wonder what Jesus thinks about the storm of the Coronavirus. Does anyone think he is wringing his hands in heaven saying, “What will we do?” We are all in the same storm but we are not all in the same boat. Some are dealing with fears from their physical vulnerability to illness. Others have economic concerns from real or potential job loss. Still others lost savings when the stock market fell. Others fear the future. The impact of the pandemic affects different people in different ways. But fear is a common response.
One of my favorite songs in recent years says, “Let go my soul and trust in him. The wind and waves still know his name.” Different storm. Same Savior. Do not fear. Trust Christ. He will save us. He is the only one who can.
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Pray with me:
Father, we thank you for your sovereignty over storms. Winds and waves must obey you. So should we. I pray that we will use our own free will today to obey you in holy fear and deep trust. Let us never take you lightly. Speak to the wind and waves which threaten to engulf us in these days. Say to our souls that we are yours alone. Help us to trust you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Join us in memorizing the Word. Scripture for this week:
Matthew 5:38-39
You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
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| Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week. In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year. Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.
Joyfully,
Duane
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