(Day 9) Seeking God Through His Word, Prayer, and Fasting

St. Mark 4:35-41 & St. John 11:1-44

We often ask God to change a trying situation that we're going through, or to prevent what we see as a developing problem. We want God to remove us from those things that bring discomfort and pain. If it's an unfavorable circumstance, we pray that God would rescue us from it. As we mature in the things of the Lord, we begin to realize that God doesn't get nervous or antsy during our times of crisis. Remember the disciples, when they were on a boat with Jesus, and a storm violently crashed against them? And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full (St. Mark 4:37). That verse perfectly describes many of the situations we may currently be praying about. All of our troubles stir up the waves of the sea to flood our boats, threatening to drown us.

Unexpected health issues hit like a flood; family problems, financial stress, and all of the unraveling of our institutions create turmoil and fear in the soul and will toss us about if we don't stay rooted and grounded in the foundation of God. When it seems as if our ship is sinking, where is Jesus? when our world looks as though it's falling apart, we want to know, God, where are you? For the disciples on the boat with Christ, they would surely seek Him out during this life and death moment. We read, And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? (St. Mark 4:38).

There's an obvious answer to that question. We all know the answer to that question. Of course He cares. The hymn writer asked and then answered that same question.

Oh, yes

He cares

I know He cares

His heart is touched with my grief

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary

I know my Savior cares

The difficulty is when we're hurting, struggling, and feeling like we're at the bottom of the ocean, and God is not moving; it can rattle our faith. For example, there are the many petitions and requests we have before the Lord, some of which we've been praying about for a long time. Our situations often seem to get worse, our pain intensifies, and our questions increase. We need God to help us to realize that He moves in His own time. And when He appears to be late, even then He's on time. No matter how severe our situation may be, He has the power to make it what it needs to be. The Lord didn't come when Lazarus was sick like his sisters wanted, He came when he had been in the grave for 4 days, and raised him to life (see St. John 11:3-17, and 39-44). The hopelessness of our situation doesn't hinder the power of God.

* Whether your boat is full of water and you're sinking, or like Lazarus, you've been in the grave for some days; God can rebuke the storm and calm the winds, God can raise you up and turn the situation around. We don't have to panic and we don't have to fear. His promise to His people is this, 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 (Isaiah 43:2).

From the heart and hand of Pastor Reginald Reaves