Verse of the Day 2/26

Verse of the Day 2/26

Mark 4:40-41 He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?"⁴¹ And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"  English Standard Version (ESV)

We've spent quite a bit of time in this week's posts considering prayer; the power  of it; the need of it and the frequency of it in our daily lives.  Today's verses came to me out of the read through the New Testament plan that I'm following.  They point to the power of the God that we are called to pray, praise and give thanks to.  Throughout history, God followers have stood back in awe when they have seen the power of God displayed in their lives.  Sometimes it is in direct answer to prayer, sometimes as in today's verses it is in reaction to what God does in our lives even when we have failed to go to him as we should.

The line in verse 40 "even the wind and sea obey Him" brought me to the hymn "Be Still My Soul".  Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.    In this stanza of the song, the hymn writer reminds us that this same God who commands the winds and waves will guide the future as He has the past.  Our God is not going anywhere.  He will be right there with us through the ages and through eternity.

There may be some times through the trials and challenges of our lives where we fear and lack faith.  May we be reminded in those times that the One who calmed the wind and the waves back then still and always will have the power to govern the circumstances of our lives.  When we go to Him, He is still listening.  These thoughts bring me to one of my favorite Steven Curtis Chapman songs, "Still Listening".

The years can take us far away
From the simple childlike faith
But I am longing to return
To the place where I first learned
That God is great and God is good
So I will speak the words

God our Father, once again
I bow my head to pray
You are my Father and my Friend
And You hear every word I say
A prayer for forgiveness
A desperate cry for help
Or praise flowing from a thankful heart
Like each time before
I come knowing You're still listening

Call on Him today, in praise or in need, knowing that He is still listening.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Mark 4:35-41The Message (MSG)

The Wind Ran Out of Breath

^35-38 Late that day he said to them, "Let's go across to the other side." They took him in the boat as he was. Other boats came along. A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it. And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, "Teacher, is it nothing to you that we're going down?"

^39-40 Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, "Quiet! Settle down!" The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. Jesus reprimanded the disciples: "Why are you such cowards? Don't you have any faith at all?"

⁴¹ They were in absolute awe, staggered. "Who is this, anyway?" they asked. "Wind and sea at his beck and call!"