BEST BOAT TO BE IN
Opening Prayer
I am so glad that You are in my boat, Jesus. Be with me today.
Read Mark 4:35–41
Jesus Calms the Storm
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 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?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 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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Reflect
At what times in your life, if at all, have you felt abandoned by God? Be assured of His presence with you now, as you read and pray.The tiny eyewitness detail Mark records should have changed everything – Jesus “sleeping on a cushion” (38). His disciples must by now have caught something of who Jesus is – mustn’t they? Especially with all the exorcisms, healings, parables full of insights about life with God and, well, with just being with Him. If He’s asleep and obviously unafraid, surely just being with Him should be enough. But they’re not thinking it through – the experienced fishermen know too much about the weather and are too spooked by what they see around them (37). His rebuke of them is because they’re responding as if He, God, has abandoned them (40).
Hundreds of years before the storm on Lake Galilee, the songwriter described events with startling similarity, attributing the sailors’ safety to “the Lord” (Psalm 107:23–30). Enjoy reading it for yourself. Only God can control the weather.
We’re in the same boat as the almighty Creator of the universe – Jesus, who is also our closest, dearest, most loving Friend. That’s surely the best boat to be in, any time.
Apply
Think about the three “Apply” questions again from Friday, February 5. In what way(s) has what you have read and reflected on today brought you closer to Jesus?
Closing prayer
Jesus, I want to be closer to You. Show me how and give me the strength to take the needed steps.
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