More often than not, the Lord uses moments we fear the most to teach us to trust him.”
–Kenneth S. Pratt (Return to Willow Falls)
“Your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.”
“Your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.”
–Isaiah 30:21 (NKJV)
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Something to think about. We know that “perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment…” (1 John 4:18, NKJV) Two years ago proved that fear is torment. Fear causes men and women to do and act strangely. Some may cower, others become belligerent. Some went into despair while others were ready to fight. Confusion abounded. All because of a virus. Fear had struck.
If fear is cast away by love then fear must be self-seeking. It is selfish, and only seeks relief for the individual. Selfishness and fear go hand in hand. Look for a moment at the words of Mark.
“On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?'”
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Something to think about. We know that “perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment…” (1 John 4:18, NKJV) Two years ago proved that fear is torment. Fear causes men and women to do and act strangely. Some may cower, others become belligerent. Some went into despair while others were ready to fight. Confusion abounded. All because of a virus. Fear had struck.
If fear is cast away by love then fear must be self-seeking. It is selfish, and only seeks relief for the individual. Selfishness and fear go hand in hand. Look for a moment at the words of Mark.
“On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?'”
–Mark 4:35-39 (NKJV)
After all Jesus had already shown the disciples they allowed fear to dominate them. The storm didn’t bring fear into their lives, it uncovered the fear that was lurking in their hearts and minds. This fear, not the storm, caused the disciples to panic, and they were upset that Jesus could sleep through such a storm. Then the selfishness appeared, “doesn’t He care that we are perishing?” They began to accuse Him that He didn’t care about them.
I found in reading these verses something that I had never noticed before. There were other little boats on course with them. “The disciples were so full of fear for their own lives that they neglected the fact that there were also other little boats traveling with them–yet they were the ones who actually had Jesus in their boat! Likewise, whatever storm we may find ourselves in, we must realize that there are many others in the same storm. However, we are the ones who have the Savior in our life, in our very own boat, meaning that there is no way we are going down.” (Carter Conlon)
“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, ‘Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?’ And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, ‘Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!'”
–Mark 4:40-41 (NKJV)
It seems that they didn’t hear the rebuke or didn’t take it to heart for immediately, they were afraid, yet in a different manner. Fear had brought them anguish, now it is fear that makes them wonder. When we can finally “take our eyes off ourselves,” recognize His love for us, and “enter into the work of the Lord that we will be empowered by a spirit of love rather than driven by a spirit of fear.” (Conlon)
Do not worry or be afraid of the world around you if you are following Jesus. Charles Spurgeon said, “It is good to sail with Jesus even if you are in a small boat. When we sail in Christ’s fleet it does not necessarily mean fair weather for us; huge storms may toss the ship carrying the Lord Himself. Thus, we should not expect to find a sea less rough around our little boat.” He slept in the boat with the disciples, however, now He is awake, with us facing the storm.
If Jesus was in the boat with the disciples, I can imagine the thoughts of those in the other boats where the Master was not present. If fear was upon the disciples, what manner of fear must have been on the others. We know because of the virus that fear is a great crippler, not only of the individual, but of society. As we resolve to have faith and not let fear dominate our lives. “Many people’s lives will be spared as you make the choice to embrace the will of God, moving away from fear and bringing you into the work of God, empowered by His love.” (Conlon)
After all Jesus had already shown the disciples they allowed fear to dominate them. The storm didn’t bring fear into their lives, it uncovered the fear that was lurking in their hearts and minds. This fear, not the storm, caused the disciples to panic, and they were upset that Jesus could sleep through such a storm. Then the selfishness appeared, “doesn’t He care that we are perishing?” They began to accuse Him that He didn’t care about them.
I found in reading these verses something that I had never noticed before. There were other little boats on course with them. “The disciples were so full of fear for their own lives that they neglected the fact that there were also other little boats traveling with them–yet they were the ones who actually had Jesus in their boat! Likewise, whatever storm we may find ourselves in, we must realize that there are many others in the same storm. However, we are the ones who have the Savior in our life, in our very own boat, meaning that there is no way we are going down.” (Carter Conlon)
“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, ‘Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?’ And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, ‘Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!'”
–Mark 4:40-41 (NKJV)
It seems that they didn’t hear the rebuke or didn’t take it to heart for immediately, they were afraid, yet in a different manner. Fear had brought them anguish, now it is fear that makes them wonder. When we can finally “take our eyes off ourselves,” recognize His love for us, and “enter into the work of the Lord that we will be empowered by a spirit of love rather than driven by a spirit of fear.” (Conlon)
Do not worry or be afraid of the world around you if you are following Jesus. Charles Spurgeon said, “It is good to sail with Jesus even if you are in a small boat. When we sail in Christ’s fleet it does not necessarily mean fair weather for us; huge storms may toss the ship carrying the Lord Himself. Thus, we should not expect to find a sea less rough around our little boat.” He slept in the boat with the disciples, however, now He is awake, with us facing the storm.
If Jesus was in the boat with the disciples, I can imagine the thoughts of those in the other boats where the Master was not present. If fear was upon the disciples, what manner of fear must have been on the others. We know because of the virus that fear is a great crippler, not only of the individual, but of society. As we resolve to have faith and not let fear dominate our lives. “Many people’s lives will be spared as you make the choice to embrace the will of God, moving away from fear and bringing you into the work of God, empowered by His love.” (Conlon)