Mark 6:50-51: “Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid. Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed.”
It is common for everyone to have anxiety and stress throughout their life. No one is exempt. We all seem to get through one hurdle that we know our LORD got us through, and then a few days pass, and something else strikes us, but how do we react then? What does God say to us in His Word? We have the same scenario with Jesus’s disciples, who had just witnessed the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000 people by multiplying five loaves of bread and two fish (Mark 6:35-44). Afterwards there were twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish to boot. Jesus had done that. They had seen Him heal people, had commanded the wind to stop in the storm the disciples were in and were afraid of sinking, and suddenly the lake was calm, and now this situation again of another storm, and they see Jesus’ walking on the water, got into their boat with them, and the wind ceased. God’s power is also continuous today, in providing for our needs.
Jesus said: “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!” Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed.” Mark 6:50-51. Jesus was in total control of their situation, got into the boat with them, and rescued them from futility in trying to save themselves from this danger. Dear friend, Jesus is with you in your ship of troubles. Listen to Him immediately speaking to you through His Word. Take Mark 6:50-51 to heart. Jesus later rebuked and warned the disciples in Mark 8:17-21, “Don’t you know or understand even yet? Are your hearts too hard to take it in? You have eyes – can’t you see? You have ears – can’t you hear? Don’t you remember anything at all? . . . Don’t you understand yet?” he asked them.”
As Christians, we acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God, but what do we do with that when trials hit us? I, too, have been of little faith at times. I don’t like change. New things can be hard for me. I don’t like uncertainty. Yet Psalm 23:1 declares, “The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” Then Hebrews 13:5b-6 promises, “I will never fail you. I will never abandan you.” So we can say with confidence, “The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”
If we listen and seek Him, Jesus speaks to us immediately so we can be completely amazed, too. Just ask Him and wait expectantly for His answer. Jesus sees your difficulty just as He saw the disciples’ futile attempt to cross the lake in the windstorm. You may feel you are not making any headway but take heart; remember the same mighty power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you and is seated at the right hand of God (Ephesians 1:20-21). God’s great power helps us grow in the grace and knowledge, through faith, of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). Jesus is telling us immediately – “Take courage, I am here!” Listen to the truths found in God’s Word. Know what it says. Trust that He is there for you (Matt. 28:20). Now go and be amazed immediately and completely!
Listen to Rend Collective – Hallelujah Anyway