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Mark 6:45 – 52
Disaster?  Or Blessing!

The miracle of the loaves and fishes was an overwhelming one. The multitude who experienced it couldn't have imagined anything like it. So it's only natural that they would think that anyone who could perform a miracle like that would make a perfect king. So, as John's Gospel tells us, they wanted to come, seize Him by force if necessary, and make Him one.

Jesus' reaction was immediate. We read, "And immediately, while He was dismissing the crowd, He instructed His disciples to get into the boat and to go before Him to the other side, toward Bethsaida. And having taken leave of them (the crowd), He went up into the mountain to pray."

The crowd had wanted to make Him king, but He said no, he had to pray, and then He dismissed the crowd, sent the disciples on their way, and went up the hill to commune with His Father. After a little while. His disciples went down to the lake, got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. It was already dark, and Jesus hadn't yet joined them. They had probably expected Him to come to them before they departed, but they knew they were to depart whether He came or not, so off they went.

But then came another of those great, life-changing lessons the disciples had to experience in order to become apostles, another seeming disaster that turned out to be a wonderful means in Jesus' hands to bring about their growth. After they'd gotten far out on the lake - far enough so there wouldn't be any thought of returning, a sudden heavy squall arose, as often occurs on that lake. The wind was directly against them. So they had to furl the sail and strain hard at the oars.  But they made very little if any progress for the next many hours. We're told that Jesus came to them during the "fourth watch of the night" - approximately 3AM to 6AM in the morning - just before first light. They had rowed all night!

Imagine the scene: their backs are about to break, the wind is howling and shrieking, it's so dark they can't even be sure where they are. Then, suddenly, there appears to them out of the darkness a man walking easily and calmly on the water, as though it were a solid path, and as though He were entirely unaffected by the storm! Is it any wonder that they thought they saw a ghost? Is it any wonder that they were terrified? Is it any wonder that they screamed out their terror?

It wasn't as if one or two of them, due to the strain, were beginning to hallucinate. We read that "they all saw Him." And there was another curious thing about this visionary water-walker: He appeared to be ready to pass them by and continue crossing the lake on foot. But, though they didn't realize it, He was watching them. In fact, not only was He watching physically, but He was also watching their hearts, so He knew that they were absolutely terrified.

He called out to them and calmed their fears by telling them that the One they saw was their own dear Master. Then He got into the boat with them, lightly and easily stepping over the side, and sat down. The wind ceased, the rain stopped, the stars appeared, and they were almost at the docks of Bethsaida!

The point of all this is that, like the disciples, we don't know when we need a disaster! We don't think we ever need one.  I'm sure they didn't think they needed one either.  Our choice would be peace, prosperity, and joy all the time. But would we grow? Would we overcome sinful habits? Would we be made fit for our Master's service? We all know the answers. And we all know that, if there have to be such seeming disasters, we could never be trusted to choose the time or circumstances for them.

"But," we say, (our favorite word) "we should have at least some part in planning those hard times that have to come into our lives - let us have at least a little say!" We all know, though, down in our hearts, that even that wouldn't work. We'd make the wrong choices. 

Besides, the important thing to remember is that we do have a part in both the planning and the execution of the things that happen to us - we pray. Prayer is a wonderful privilege. By it we become fellow workmen with our God! Not that He needs our prayers - He could accomplish all His plans for us quite well without our participation - but because He loves us He privileges us to have a part in the planning and execution of His work through the means of asking and receiving. May we use that wonderful privilege, and may we do so without fear, trusting His love to care for us through our trials as well as our joys!

Another thing of vast importance to us is that when we pray, we pray to the One Who walked on the water!  He's the One Who can overcome the wind, the storm, and all the forces of nature!  Not only so, but He's the One Who, besides our circumstances, also sees our hearts!  He's the One Who cares about our fears, the only One Who can step easily and lightly into our ship and bring us to our desired haven!  And through it all He's the One Who will say to us, "it is I.  Do not be afraid!"  Simply put, He's the One Who will always reveal Himself and His love to us!

By way of illustration, you may remember King David's experience. He too had to have trials in order to become all that God intended him to be.

This was particularly true relative to one of his experiences with Saul.  You remember how jealous Saul was of David and how he therefore pursued him with the intent of taking his life. For that reason, David had to be out in the wilderness, the forest, and the rocks and hills just to stay alive. It wasn't an easy life. He didn't have a nice, soft bed on which to sleep at night, and he didn't drink the finest wines and eat roast lamb every day. He slept on the ground at night, always fearful lest Saul should find and kill him.

On one particular occasion, Saul heard where David was and came to find him in the wilderness of Maon. There was a mountain there, and David and his men were on one side of it, while Saul and about 3,000 men were on the other side. They were actually chasing each other around the mountain! It must have occurred to David that sooner or later the chase would be over and David would be dead upon the ground.

But, just at the last minute, a messenger came in haste to Saul and informed him that the Philistines were invading the land, so Saul had to forget about David for a while and go to defend Israel. It was God's deliverance for David. But it was also God's lesson for David's later service to the Lord as king of Israel.  David was God's chosen instrument, and David could  therefore trust the Lord always to deliver him – even when things seemed darkest!

It was with just such lessons in mind that he wrote Psalm 3.  He said, "Lord how are they increased who trouble me!  Many are they who rise up against me!  Many are they who say of me, 'There is no help for him in God.'  But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One Who lifts up my head.  I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill.  I lay down and slept; I awoke for the Lord sustained me.  I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around!"

How is it for you?  Are there disasters in your life? Psalm 145:18 says, "The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon Him in truth."  Our Lord is teaching you.  Will you not find out His love for you?  Will you not learn how gracious He is?