Jesus May Send You Into A Storm, But He Sees You And Is There To Help (Mk 6:45-48)

The Lord will allow difficulties and troubles to come into our lives and He may even send us into them. After all, the Father even sent His Son Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil (Mt 4:11) and sent Him to die on the Cross. 

In the passage the Lord Jesus sent the Apostles out into a storm: 

Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He dismissed the crowd. After He said good-bye to them, He went away to the mountain to pray. When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. He saw them being battered as they rowed, because the wind was against them. (Mk 6:45-48)

Jesus being God knew exactly what lie ahead for the Apostles when He sent them out onto the lake in that boat. He knew He was sending them into a storm! 

The Lord will also send us into storms at times or allow difficulties to come into our lives … so we shouldn’t be surprised when it happens. When it happens we need to keep in mind that He always sees and knows what we’re going through. Notice in the passage above that Jesus went up the mountain to pray after He sent them out on the lake. He could have stayed on the shore to pray but instead He climbed the mountain. Why? He climbed the mountain so He would have a vantage point where He could see them way out on the lake (v 48)! He saw and knew exactly where they were and what was happening. Jesus may have sent them out into a tough spot but He NEVER lost sight of them and He will never lose sight of YOU either!

When you’re struggling through a tough spot, remember that the Lord sees you and is there to help you if you need it … just like the apostles on the lake. Remember how later in the scene Jesus went out to meet them and got in the boat and the storm stopped! He might want you to go through something but He sees you, is there with you, and will help as He sees fit.

Think of Jesus as your loving dad running beside you as you’re going to ride your bike for the first time without training wheels. He holds onto the bike while you start peddling and then let’s go at the right time. Even though He let go, He still runs along side of you cheering, encouraging, coaching and is ready to help as needed. 

The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I lack.
He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He renews my life;
He leads me along the right paths
for His name’s sake.
Even when I go through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger,
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me. (Psa 23:1-4)

 

Be on the lookout tomorrow for the next Encouraging Truth from this devotional series.