In Troubled Times (Part 2)

Just over a month ago I wrote about John 14:26, The Holy Spirit (In Troubled Times)…..I encourage you to go back and re-read it if you can before continuing this blog…..

“But the Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send….”  in this portion of scripture God is showing us WHO AND WHAT we have through the Holy Spirit. With that understood, I wanted to add a little something to this, something that I recently spoke on (unfortunately at a funeral) that hopefully helps you see while going through the storms of life. Mark 4:35-38  is the account of Jesus and His disciples crossing the sea of Galilee. It begins with Jesus saying to his disciples “let us cross over to the other side.” During this “crossing over” a devastating storm rises up. Now, if we read carefully we see that the disciples were “scared for their lives”. Let’s remember, these disciples are professional fishermen….not hoky podunk fishermen….professionals! They KNOW the sea, the ins and outs of the boat, the weather, how to navigate the waters, it’s what they do!! The bible says that it was such a severe storm that even the professionals didn’t know how to navigate it! During this intense panic they go to the Master (the Lord) who is SLEEPING in the stern of the boat (with a pillow I might add). And their words to Him as they woke Him were…..”Lord, Don’t you care?” Jesus then rebuked the wind and the sea was calmed…..His words to them were “why are you so afraid? Don’t you trust me?“.  Let’s stop a second and unfold this. We all have sudden, intense, devastating, and sometimes defeating storms! All of us!! When the storms of life hit….sometimes we can feel like “Lord, Don’t you care”? “Lord, where are you?” “I can’t see you, I can’t hear you!” Interestingly, the Scripture also tells us they left at night (in the dark)!! When we find ourselves in the middle of a storm it’s dark, it can be lonely, you can’t see where your going or what direction your heading, the winds are blowing to hard to hear and the waves are splashing to high to see! Now, the bible tells us that Jesus had already told them they would be fine before they left in the boat with His words….“Let us cross over to the other side“….indicating they would arrive on the other side!!!  Understand that we will have storms…unpredictable ones and devastating ones and though we can feel at times…”where are you in this Lord”….understand He is THERE IN THE BOAT WITH YOU!!! He hasn’t left, He hasn’t abandon you, though you may not hear or see…..He is leading…the Holy Spirit comes and comforts us, helps us, leads us, strengthens us and NEVER LEAVES US!!!  As you journey through your storms………. remember HE IS IN THE BOAT WITH YOU!!!