Read Mark 6:47-52
He Did It Before. He Can Do It Again.
Jesus is up in the mountain praying after sending his disciples away on the boat, and after sending the multitude away that experienced the miracle of Jesus feeding them with only five loaves and two fish.
After praying Jesus could see his disciples straining with the oars because of the strong wind and waves. So, approaching 6:00 a.m., Jesus went out to them while walking on the water. Jesus intended on passing by them, but when they saw Jesus walking on the water, they thought he was a ghost and cried out in great fear. Immediately Jesus spoke, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid.”
Jesus then got into the boat and the wind stopped and the sea calmed down. The disciples were greatly astonished for they had not gained any insight from the previous miracle with the five loaves and two fish. Their hearts were hardened.
Have you ever gone through a storm in life and all you did was struggle and strain yourself and seemed to get nowhere? Perhaps your struggling was over your finances, or a broken relationship, or your job, or being homeless, or something with your children, or a health issue. Whatever it was, God miraculously intervened and you were astonished and realized, “Wow, this was a God moment. This was all God!”
But then later in life, a new situation arises and you find yourself struggling and straining and seem to be getting nowhere. You find yourself in fear wondering what good could ever come from your experience and wonder how in the world God could ever get you through your fear, pain, struggling, and straining. In fact, you have already forgotten about how Jesus miraculously intervened into your previous situation. Why? Why do we forget? Why don’t we gain insight and learn that God did a miracle before and then not believe he could do it again. It’s because of our hard hearts. We allow fear to take over and destroy the faith God is wanting us to put into action.
When Jesus walked on the water and calmed the wind and waves, the disciples were greatly astonished, like they’ve never seen Jesus do a miracle before. How quickly they forgot about the 15,000 or so fed by five loaves and two fish. Wasn’t that enough of a miracle to help them realize, Jesus intervened in my struggles before and I believe he will do it again today. Do we act like that? Are we very slow learners because of fear and hard hearts? God, help us remember your previous Acts of Power and Miracles in our lives so we believe in your ability to save us in our new struggles of life.
