IS GOD IN CHARGE?

Have you ever noticed God intervening in your life in a way that seems miraculous? Have you ever been in danger and felt God rescue you? Jesus’ disciples did and we have. Remembering these times helps us trust him more.

In Mark 4:35-40 he calms a catastrophic storm. Here’s what Mark writes:

On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:35-40 (NASB)

Michael Card, in his book Mark:The Gospel of Passion, notes that the Gospels tell two different stories about storms on the Sea of Galilee. The second one is “merely a contrary wind” and Jesus calms it and walks on water. (Mark 6:45) The first storm is very different and is unlike any storm the disciples had ever seen though they were experienced fishermen. Card believes “the violence of this storm has nothing to do with meteorology.” He says it’s a demonic attack on their lives and notes that Jesus speaks to the storm with the words he uses to silence demons:“Be Muzzled!” (Mark 1:25).

Our miraculous rescue occurred in 1996. We were driving from our home in Hamilton to meet friends for dinner and then go to a play at the Playhouse in the Park. It was Friday evening at 6 pm during rush hour traffic and our car stopped in the middle of I-75. It just stopped, with no warning. Cars and trucks whizzed by on both sides of us and traffic backed up. M turned on our flasher lights and worked the ignition. Time stood still as the cars and trucks continued to speed around us. I pictured spending the evening being towed back to Hamilton – as well also picturing imminent danger. After five very long minutes the car started and we were on our way. Soon we were eating dinner with our friends. It felt unreal to have escaped disaster or even inconvenience.

The next evening we met with a group of friends who were unbelievers. We had been friends with these people for decades but had returned to church and Christ about six years before this. That night the despair in the group was evident. Without God they had no eternal perspective or purpose.

A few days later I awoke thinking about the scene on I-75 and God plucking us out of that, saving us. Then I realized he also plucked us out of The Group (out of their belief system) and plunked us down in a wonderful, joyful Christian fellowship giving us an eternal perspective and purpose. It still amazes me and proves to me God can do anything.

The disciples after their miracle rescue said “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him.” (Mark 4:41) Card says “the great wind that had attempted to claim all of their lives had become a great calm.”

Our faith grows as we notice his interventions in our lives. We serve a mighty God. He is greater and mightier than we can comprehend. We can trust in the Lord no matter what kind of storm or disaster we face.

Blessings, Dottie