STRUGGLE!

 

Thursday, January 28, 2021

 

STRUGGLE!

 

Mark 6:45-51

45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:

50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

 

           This is one of my favorite portions of Scripture! It is full of instruction regarding our struggle in this world and our relationship to Jesus. Let’s highlight a few things this morning.

 

           This difficult voyage began as an act of obedience! The word “constrained” is the Greek anagkazo and means “to necessitate.” It was a command. Just because you are obedient does not guarantee a trouble-free journey. In fact, obedience can set off a torrent of opposition and trouble. The answer is not disobedience.

 

           Obeying God is sometimes inconvenient! The fourth watch, by Roman reckoning, is from 3am to 6am. These would be the hours the body and mind should be resting – not rowing.

 

           Jesus observes our struggles! “He saw them toiling!” I believe this is the only time the word “toiling” appears in the Bible! It is not a sin to struggle. It is not a sign that God has left you alone. It is a sign that you are moving in a direction in opposition to the current. That lonely feeling is a desire for God to bring peace. He’s watching. Never forget that.

 

           Jesus may allow you to struggle for a while! “He would have passed by them!”  At first glance this seems cruel, but it was meant to encourage them. He was not going to ignore them but to show himself to them. As you struggle watch for signs of God.

 

           Nothing happened until they saw Jesus! Jesus observed them in their struggles, but nothing changed until they saw Him. Nothing happened until they cried out! They thought Jesus was a ghost, a phantasma, walking on the water. Perhaps the spirit of some poor sailor lost in such a storm as they were in. Their terror was not at seeing Jesus but in misunderstanding what they were seeing. Ignorance can be terrifying.

 

           Jesus spoke immediately! Verse 50 says: “And immediately He talked with them.” He did not return the shout! He spoke what I think were soothing words. “Calm down boys. Everything will be alright. Quit screaming like a bunch of girls.” Well, maybe not those exact words, but something that would have calmed them and given them courage.

 

           Jesus identified himself! He said: “It is I; be not afraid.” At some point in your struggle; probably at the point of panic; Jesus will identify himself to you. You will be convinced at His presence. You will know it will be alright even as the wind continues to blow.

 

           Jesus joined them! He went up into the ship. The result was that the wind settled down and the sea became calm. The disciples were completely amazed. The word “wondered” actually means “to admire.” The result of all their struggles was that Jesus was elevated in their opinion. They had suffered no loss or damage, but Jesus had become larger than life. Let this be the result of all your struggles today.

 

Dear Jesus, reveal yourself to all those who struggle today. AMEN

BURDENS!

 

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

 

BURDENS!

 

Gal 6:2-5

2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

5 For every man shall bear his own burden.

 

Three concepts are found in these verses that will likely engage us as this day dawns.

 

1. We are to help others carry their burdens!

 

           David complains of his sin and says: "Mine iniquities are gone over my head; as a heavy burden they are too heavy for me" (Ps 38:4). The law of Christ is that we should love one another. Love prompts us to move quickly alongside a brother who is about to “lose it” or to drop it. How many of our brethren are so burdened that they are ready to quit? How many will we meet today with a smile on their face and a tear in their eye? Their shoulders are stooped and sore from carrying a heavy load.

 

2. We are to prove our own work!

 

           In this we see the almost lost concept of personal responsibility. Adam blamed Eve for his downfall and Eve passed the buck to the serpent. It’s been happening that way with man ever since! The battle cry of our age is: “It’s not my fault.” A young man sitting in jail may ask a visitor, “Why has this happened to me?” The answer is that you robbed a bank. Had you NOT robbed the bank you would still be free. The burden of personally proving our own work belongs to each of us. The Amplified New Testament puts it this way:

 

Gal 6:4 AMP

4 But let every person carefully scrutinize and examine and test his own conduct and his own work. He can then have the personal satisfaction and joy of doing something commendable [in itself alone] without [resorting to] boastful comparison with his neighbor.

 

3. Some burdens must be borne alone!

 

           The Greek word translated “burden” in verse 5 is different from the word used in verse 2. Here the word means “an invoice” or “ships freight.” It is the only place in all of Paul’s writings that he uses this word. The word refers to the “bill of lading” and refers to something of great value. Each of us will stand in judgment and receive our own reward.

 

Dear Lord, although I am burdened with my own load, help me to lighten the load of a brother or sister today. AMEN

WEARYING GOD!

 

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

 

WEARYING GOD!

 

Isa 43:24

24 Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.

 

Mal 2:17

17 Ye have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?

 

Why are so many professed believers yet undecided regarding their Christianity? Each one seems to be two kinds of people and you can never be certain which you are dealing with. Their lives are what we commonly refer to as “compartmentalized.” One compartment holds work, another holds family, a large compartment holds recreation, and into another small compartment we stuff religion.

 

There are some reasons why this is so…

 

Ø Our culture of rapid change and easy access to everything has produced a restless desire for some unknown thrill or satisfaction. Like Goldilocks we keep sampling the porridge but can never find a bowl that is “just right.”

Ø We insist on deciding for ourselves that which is right or wrong without restriction or accountability.

Ø We have a lust for supremacy and applause that ruins all our relationships because we are always manipulating others.

Ø Everything in our life passes through the “me” filter.

 

There are some things that we desperately need…

 

1. A quiet spirit! We must learn to give to each task our very best effort and then leave the results in God’s hands. The conventional method results in nervous anxiety and a complaining spirit.

 

1 Thess 4:11-12…study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

 

2. Real purity inside and out! We must choose to live our lives unsullied by the filthiness that surrounds us in the world.

 

1 Tim 5:22

22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, [do not quickly ordain or officially recognize any man] neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure [innocent or modest].

 

3. Simplicity! Simplicity brings freedom, joy, and balance. We lack a divine “Center”, our need for security has led us into an insane attachment to things.

 

4. Thrift!  Placing boundaries around our appetites will build self-discipline and character.

 

John 6:12

12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

 

5. Modesty! The word is only used once (in the KJV) and is found in First Timothy 2:9 and means “orderly or decorous.” Today it has come to mean a manner of dress and deportment that does not entice or lead to lustfulness.

 

6. Passion! Ours is an age absolutely defined by the word “casual.” Unfortunately, we have allowed informality to modify quality. A lack of quality in preparation hinders performance in every area. Choir members do not practice. Sunday school teachers do not study. Buildings and facilities are not well maintained. The result is a haphazard presentation of an urgently needed gospel.

 

Dear Father, I’m sure in many ways my behavior just wears you out! Forgive me for my sometimes-casual approach to Christianity and make me pleasing to Thee. AMEN