Saturday, March 09, 2013

DON'T WASTE THE GRACE


The disciples felt the day of their death had come and that there on the sea, in the midst of a violent storm, they were going to perish.  In an act of panic they turned to Jesus to save them.  He did, but not before asking them “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” (Matt. 8:26).
           
Odd question, don’t you think?  Everything in your training says it’s over.  The storm is ragging, the wind is blowing, everything is getting soaking wet, and there is no help in sight.  What do you mean, “Why are you afraid?” 
           
When life is coming apart we can turn to fear and panic or Jesus and peace.  Panic probably comes easier than peace, but panic is a wrong decision for one who trusts in the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

After Jesus had calmed the storm at sea and in the hearts of the disciples they asked, “What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” (vs. 27).  What kind of man is He? The God-Man, in fact.  God with us.  Immanuel.  God’s loving response to the deepest needs of the human heart.

Jesus, Lord of lords and King of kings, is present today still stunning us with His power and His love.  Come what may, Jesus is who He says He is. In Him our lives are covered by grace, and mercy is the very air we breathe. As the seventeenth century hymns says, "Be Still, My Soul; the Lord is on thy side."[1]  Don’t waste the grace.           


[1] “Be Still, My Soul,” Catharina von Schlegel, 1697-? Translated by Jane Borthwick, 1813-1897

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