CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 709

“The Captain”

Mat 8:18-26 (NIV) … Jesus … gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. … Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him… Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

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There are three principles we can derive from our scripture reference:

Jesus is the Captain of our boat – Jesus gave the order, the disciples followed. Notice the leadership example set by Our Lord in that He empowered his men and allowed His disciples to navigate the seas – He did not have to have His hand on the rudder. As Captain, Jesus expects obedience. He also expects that we will put our skills and abilities to work as we obey His commands.

Can you lead others in the same manner as Jesus led His disciples? Do you empower those you are in leadership over to think, act, and make full use of their skills and talents? Is Jesus Captain of your boat? Or is He a deckhand? He has empowered you to steer – do you steer along the course direction He has given or do you go your own way?

There is no fear in His presence – Notice how peaceful Jesus was even though the storm raged around Him. We all too often lose sight of the fact that Jesus is with us just as His disciples did that day. Whatever the storm is that is raging about you, look to Jesus and His example of peace. If you are fearful, check your proximity to His presence. Are you seeking His kingdom first and His righteousness or are other idols interfering with the abiding presence of God in your life? Know that He is in control and trust in Him. Take heart and be of good courage because Jesus is in the boat with you.

Don’t crowd Him out – All too often we leave Jesus on shore as we venture out on our own. There is no room for Him in our boat due to the baggage of sin issues in our life that we persist in carrying with us from place to place. We cruise along happily until the seas kick up and threaten to sink us. There is no peace to be derived from the occupants of our boat under these circumstances.

A common emergency sailing practice was to jettison excess weight overboard during severe storms in a last ditch effort to remain afloat. Through genuine repentance we cast away the dunnage of sin that we have burdened ourselves with. Be sure not to put life jackets on favorite sins, planning to pull them back into the boat once things calm down.

Are you faced with difficult circumstances? Are the stormy seas of life threatening your boat? Look and see if Jesus is in your boat. If He is not, tie weights, not life jackets, to the sin that occupies your life and throw it overboard. It is for those who love God, who obey His commands that all things work together for good – even the storms of life. Make room for Jesus in your boat, and allow Him to be Captain. Only He can save you from the storms of life and guide you safely to the other side.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God