💡📜Mark 6:45 (KJB) And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.
46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.
51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.
52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.
💭Good morning Christian friend, I hope and pray all is well with you today. Today’s post is a reflection on this portion of scripture above from my devotional. I often wonder how many of us still doubt the word of God at times BECAUSE of the things we come to face in life? How many of us have forgotten the miracles He had already performed for us since our conversion, and yet, because of new circumstance we find ourselves in, doubt arises in our hearts from trusting in Him still? First off, allow me to remind you that I am brother Mote myself (Mt 7:3); meaning that I still recognize my own spiritual faults and weaknesses in real time. I have learned (and am still learning) something valuable from re-reading the history of our spiritual forefathers, the disciples of Christ, as they were commanded by Jesus to sail without Him, and to meet Him on the other side of the sea. While He went away to pray alone to God the Father on a mountain, He walked back towards the seaside from where He had constrained them to sail from. Notice vs.48, “he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them”. Jesus Christ stood on the seashore (for an unspecified amount of time) watching His disciples seemingly struggle to sail on towards the other side, as He had commanded them. Meanwhile, a stormy wind arose, and notice that Christ did NOT prevent the wind from starting. Notice that Jesus didn’t stop the wind from opposing them in the sea, He simply watched from a distance while they tried their best to make it to the other side. As you read above, here’s the famous scene where Jesus walks on the water, but notice, while the stormy winds were still opposing. The winds didn’t calm down until after He entered into their ship (vs.51). The disciples were perplexed, astonished, and terrified; supposing that the figure they saw walking on the sea was a spirit, “they cried out” for fear (vs.49). But Jesus said unto His disciples, “Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid” (vs.50). What did I learn from this devotional? The storm didn’t prevent Jesus from getting to His disciples. The winds didn’t prevent Jesus from getting to His disciples. The waters couldn’t prevent Jesus from getting to His disciples, as He walked over the sea. Jesus comforted His disciples in the MIDST of their troubles, before calming them down! It appears to me that before God miraculously calms the storms of life down around us, maybe just maybe He is waiting to see if we’re willing to trust Him as we did before they came upon us. Perhaps Christ observes from heaven at the right hand of the Father, meanwhile the Holy Spirit communicates to Him regarding the state of our heart, waiting to see whether or not we’ll remember His command to go, and the promise to trust His provision. Lastly, notice what the Holy Spirit reminded us concerning the condition of the disciples, as the reason for their terror:
📜vs.52, “For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened”.
💭Believer, it’s not just the lusts of our flesh that can harden our hearts against God, it’s also our lack of considering, remembering & trusting His promises from His word that could attribute to our hardness of hearts as well. I was shocked after reading this truth this morning, that I too can become hardened when I doubt what God had already said in His word, and even personally experiencing His provision in my life. This doubt can produce within us a hardness of heart that could blind us from perceiving His presence with us, even in the storm. So, I want to encourage you today, do your best to read your bible daily, and trust His promises, obey His commands. If He said “Go, and meet me on the other side”, then trust that He will safely get you there and will meet you there. If He didn’t forewarn you of the difficulties ahead of your personal life, don’t worry; trust that He will be with you every step of the way. Let us yield our minds and hearts (spirit) back to God, not just before the storm, but during and even after; let us trust that Jesus Christ our Lord & Saviour will & can get us through any season of life; since He is the creator of those elements that the devil might try to use against us. Jesus Christ is Lord even over those elements. Trust Jesus believer.
In love, Brother Carlos.😊🙏
