He is in the boat

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: TUESDAY, 28TH MAY, 2024

TOPIC: HE IS IN THE BOAT

MEMORY VERSE

Teach them to obey everything that I have told you to do. You can be sure that I will be with you always. I will continue with you until the end of time.” Matthew 28:20

BIBLE TEXT

Mark 4:35-41

[35]That day, at evening, Jesus said to his followers, “Come with me across the lake.”

[36]So they left the crowd behind and went with Jesus in the boat he was already in. There were also other boats that went with them.

[37]A very bad wind came up on the lake. The waves were coming over the sides and into the boat, and it was almost full of water.

[38]Jesus was inside the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The followers went and woke him. They said, “Teacher, don’t you care about us? We are going to drown!”

[39]Jesus stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. He said, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and the lake became calm.

[40]He said to his followers, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

[41]They were very afraid and asked each other, “What kind of man is this? Even the wind and the water obey him!”

MESSAGE

A person’s strength of character is best revealed in the midst of adversity (Proverbs 24:10). You will be surprised at the level of unbelief demonstrated by many who claim to be children of God when they are faced with adverse situations. At such times, fear makes many lose their hold of God’s infallible word; this is what happened to the disciples in today’s Bible reading. They were so afraid of the great storm threatening their lives even though Jesus was right there in the boat with them. At that moment, they forgot all the great deeds they had seen Him do and all the powerful things they had heard Him teach. Think about yourself, how do you react when you are in trouble like the disciples? Do you blame God, or do you act as if He is not even there with you at all? You must always remember that Jesus Christ is with you in the boat of life. Not only is He with you, but He can also feel the turbulence of the boat and will come to your aid once you call on Him. Hebrews 2:18 says of Him: “For In that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” He personally promised to be with you always, even to the end of the world (Matthew 28 : 19-20). How comforting! In addition to this promise, He also said to you in Isaiah 43 : 1-2: “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” I must, however, point out that only the redeemed of the Lord can lay claim to His promises in this Scripture. Have you been transformed by the redeeming work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary? Do you have the assurance of salvation in your heart? If you are genuinely saved, I congratulate you. Nevertheless, our Lord wants you to demonstrate faith in Him by trusting Him in the midst of adversity. It is impossible to please God without having faith in Him (Hebrews 11 : 6). I, therefore, encourage you with these words of the Master in Mark 11:22 that says: “… Have faith in God.”

PRAYER POINT

Father, help my faith to stand in the midst of adversity.

BIBLE IN A YEAR

Job 9-12

HYMN 30 WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD

1 When we walk with the Lord

In the light of His Word,

What a glory He sheds on our way;

While we do His good will,

He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey,