“The other day,” Stan began, “I was looking at Mark’s gospel account of the feeding of the five thousand, what happened right after that, and how it relates to my faith walk.”
“That was quite a miracle,” I commented. “Feeding all those people with just a handful of food.”
“It sure was,” Stan replied, “but what happened next is what I want to focus on.”
“Where Jesus went up on the mountain to pray?” I asked.
“That’s an important point we’ll talk about another day,” Stan said, “but right now let’s focus on the disciples’ response to what Jesus did with walking on the water.”
Continuing, he added, “Quick recap. The five thousand people were fed, Jesus sent the disciples away in a boat, He went up on the mountain to pray, and while He was there He could see the disciples in the boat struggling against a windstorm.”
“Then He walked on the water towards them, is that right?”
“That’s right,” Stan said, “and Mark describes the disciples as being afraid, as well as amazed when Jesus got into the boat and the wind stopped.”
“I think I would have been pretty amazed too!” I replied.
“But do you think the disciples should have been amazed?” Stan asked.
“Should have been amazed? Sure. Why not?”
“Because they had just seen the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand,” Stan replied. “They didn’t see the connection between what God had just done and their present circumstance. And it’s the same thing with me way too often.”
“What same thing?” I asked.
“Doubting that God can do something in my life even though I have seen Him move before,” Stan replied. “It’s a lack of belief that God can and will do something. It’s like saying, ‘I saw Him do such-and-such, but I doubt He will move in my present situation’.”
“Any idea why that might be?” I asked.
“Kind of like the guys in the boat,” Stan replied. “Mark described them as not having gained any insight from what had happened before with the feeding of the five thousand because their hearts were hardened.”
“So a person needs to have a softened heart that is open to seeing God, what He has done in the past, and believing He will respond presently and in the future. Is that it?”
“Bingo and Amen!” Stan replied with a smile.
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Bible verses to consider:
And He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were greatly astonished, for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened. Mark 6:51-52.
And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet see or understand? Do you have a hardened heart?” Mark 8:17.
Immediately the boy’s father cried out and began saying, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” Mark 9:24.
For nothing will be impossible with God. Luke 1:37.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for all you have done in my life and for all you want to do in and through me. I confess that too often I do not believe that you will move in certain circumstance even though I have seen you move before in other instances. Please forgive the foolishness of unbelief. Help me to see and to believe that nothing, absolutely nothing, is impossible for you. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: God the Father sent Jesus so that all who believe can have life eternally with God when it’s time. Do you believe and know you have salvation and redemption? If no, why? If you do believe that God has provided salvation and redemption, how are you doing with the belief that God can and will move in your life while He keeps you on this side of eternity? Are there times when you find it difficult to believe? If so, what’s that all about? If you sense the need for change, how is that going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 