See with eyes
of faith
Mark 4:40
3/24/20
Pastor John C. Berg
Mark 4:40 (EHV)
40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Do you
still lack faith?”
This is your daily devotion for March 24th. In Mark 4 Jesus said to his disciples, “why
are you so afraid? Do you still lack
faith?” Our dog Mo is a 200 pound
English mastiff. His bite force is equal
to that of an African lion. He
definitely has a strong “protect the home” instinct. Mo also is very affectionate toward us and
trusts us. And yet, he’s scared of a
plastic bag being shaken over his head or a chair being pushed toward him. Does he not really trust us? Or is his instinct not to let anything fall
on him just overwhelming powerful?
What exactly happened with the disciples
in Mark 4? They were in a boat with
Jesus on the Sea of Galilee when a storm arose and waves splashed into the
boat. They woke Jesus up and said,
“teacher, don’t you care that we are about to drown?” Instincts of self-preservation
are strong. That’s not really the issue here
though, is it? The way they ask this
question expresses doubt in Jesus’ love for them.
If you are afraid, that is not necessarily
a sinful lack of trust in God. If you
are doubting God’s love for you and for all of humanity that is something we need
to deal with. With the disciples Jesus
spoke and the storm stopped. He
cared. He had the power to do something. The disciples just didn’t see it as they
looked at him asleep in the boat. The
increase in COVID-19 infections and the economic fallout are both sometimes
talked about as waves that are going to come crashing down on us. Look with the eyes of faith and you will see
Jesus standing between you and the waves.
He is in control. He may let them
hit you for a while, but even that he will use for your good.
Let’s pray: Holy
Spirit, strengthen our trust in you, in the Father and in the Son that we may
see all things through the eyes of faith.
Amen.
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