January 30
“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him,” Psalm 37:7.
Many times as we sail along on the ocean of life, we encounter storms that toss and turn our life’s ship. It is like traveling in the dark of night on a tempestuous sea.
This reminds us of what happened in the lives of our Lord’s disciples. On more than one occasion, they were in a boat on the Galilean Sea when a severe storm arose and they were filled with fear. One of those instances is recorded by the evangelist Mark: “On the same day, when evening had come, (Jesus) said to them, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’ Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, ‘Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?’ And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, ‘Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!’” Mark 4:35-41.
The disciples needed to learn, and so do we, that when we face the storms in life, we must, “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.” The New International Version of the Bible and Luther’s German translation both start the verse with the words, “Be still!” It reminds us of the words of the Lord spoken through the psalmist in another Psalm, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge,” Psalm 46:10-11.
What are your hurts and heartaches? What is weighing so heavily upon your mind? Who or what is making life so dark and difficult for you? What is troubling you? Do you feel that you cannot face the future? Listen closely! Be still and wait patiently for God to hear and answer your prayers and to fulfill His promises. Take His Word to heart and trust and believe Him when He says, “Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you,” 1 Peter 5:7. Cling to the promises of your amazing, gracious God as He speaks in both the Old and the New Testament, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” Hebrews 13:5, Joshua 1:5, Deuteronomy 31:6.
Remember God’s greatest promise of all, which brings peace to burdened hearts because of sin. On the night when the Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the angel announced to the shepherds, “‘There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord’ . . . And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’” Luke 2:11, 13-14. The Savior says, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid,” John 14:27. Trust and believe in Him who suffered, died, and rose again to redeem all people from sin, death, and the power of the devil.
Pray frequently and faithfully, “Jesus, give me the assurance of forgiveness and peace with God!” Amen.