I and Me and Mine and My
Were all that I could see
When life was just smooth sailing
The world was about me
But winds and pains and waves have tossed
My comforts overboard
Till driven by the storm I put
My focus on the Lord
For He who works mysteriously
His will and by His way
To Him who loves us fully
I give my life today
He WHo Works Mysteriously by Peter Caligiuri © 2020 All rights reserved
Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ Acts 27:23-24
When my sister and I were making too much noise, my Mom used to yell at us “Quiet! I can’t hear myself think!” That is exactly what both Paul and the sailors were experiencing in a fourteen day storm. One of the greatest difficulties during heavy storms is our inability to think or even communicate with others. But no matter what our circumstances we can continue to pray. When it seems most difficult we need to encourage ourselves with the reminder that God often sends His message at mid-night. In fact He not only sent a message to Saint Paul in the storm at mid-night but He chose a few other times in the Bible to do the same:
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It was at mid-night that the angels appeared to the shepherds – And at mid-night that Jesus came walking out over the waves – It was midnight when the call went out, “The bridegroom is coming.” – And at midnight God will send His message to us. At mid-night when we are least expecting God’s help He comes. At mid-night He stands by our side and says, “Don’t be afraid.”
What are you facing today? Is it mid-night in your storm? It is not too late! In fact mid-night is the perfect time for Jesus. He comes at mid-night with a message of Hope!
I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
In my imagination I sometimes wonder just how soundly asleep Jesus really was during the storm at sea. I have thought that perhaps he was more aware of the circumstances than the disciples knew. Perhaps as He climbed into the boat that day He said something along the lines of: “Okay while you guys start rowing us across Galilee, I am going to take a nap. Then as He borrowed a pillow and went to sleep He was saying to himself, “I know what is coming next, I wonder how long it will be before they wake me up?”
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Then as the wind picked up and the sky darkened with storm clouds the disciples kept rowing as hard as they could. They didn’t want Jesus to have to worry about anything; after all they were all experienced fishermen. Then as the first wave or two sloshed over the side of the boat some may have begun to worry. Finally as wave after giant wave tossed the little boat up and down and it began to take on water panic took hold of their hearts.
“Master, carest thou not that we perish?” Mark 4:38b
Just like us, they had come to the place where they wondered if God even cared about their fears. But Jesus is in our boat, to be our Immanuel through any storm. He listened to the disciples. He listened to King David. He is listening to you.
If today you are facing your biggest fear God is with you in your boat. He is waiting for us to cry out like David, like the disciples and like countless generations of believers. He is with us and He hears!
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