SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1073

“Don’t You Care?”

…And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:35-41)

Imagine being in a shallow draft boat when hurricane force winds whip up the sea you are sailing in. All hands are on deck furiously bailing the water that was crashing over the sides – except one: the Teacher you have been following is fast asleep at the back of the boat. That’s when you wake Him and ask ‘Don’t you care?’

Are the storms of life overwhelming you right now? Perhaps you have suffered the loss of a loved one or a job or your health. Are you tempted to wonder if Jesus cares? Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever!  Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression? (Psalm 10:1; Psalm 44:23-24)

The disciples at this time did not fully comprehend who Jesus was – they knew Him as a Teacher with a message that they were drawn to. Do you fully comprehend who Jesus is to you? Is He your Lord and Savior – God incarnate, creator of heaven and earth? Or is He a figure head in your religion?  …waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,  For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily… (Titus 2:13; Colossians 2:9)

Some disciples had a closer relationship with Jesus than others. Some were in the boat with Him and others followed at a distance in other boats. Is your relationship with Jesus a close one? Are you in His presence occasionally, or continually? The disciples in the boat with Jesus grew in their knowledge of Him when He calmed the seas and the wind. Their faith and trust was strengthened. Whereas those who followed at a distance in other boats had no clue as to what happened to calm the storm. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! (1 Chronicles 16:11)

The Lord allows storms in our life because He loves us. Storms are relationship and faith builders between us and Jesus. Storms equip us with increased knowledge of Him and experience that we can share with others to bring the Lord’s comfort to them in their time of need. The Lord works all things for good for His children. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

No matter what storms assail you, remain close to Jesus and know that He does care. …casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)