Miraculous memory

In Mark 4:35-41, there's some scary storm stuff happening. Boat about to go bottom up, killing all aboard. Yet Jesus was relaxed because he knew they'd make it through. We say: 'That's alright for Jesus! But the disciples didn't have his it's-going-to-be-ok prior knowledge.' But... well, they (and we) are offered that assurance, actually. Before getting in that boat, the disciples had seen Jesus heal so be recognised as 'the Son of God' by spirits in people (Mark 3:10-11). They probably had a fair idea of his power, but still freaked out. The storm was raging and their own panic was enough to wipe their memory of Jesus' miraculous power.

Familiar? We can see God do miraculous, amazing things, and feel like we know him. But then the boat starts rocking and we panic. We shout, 'God, can't you see me drowning here?!' And we forget to breathe. We forget he's already shown us, over and over, that he has the storm under control. When Jesus said that the Holy Spirit 'will remind you of everything' (John 14:26 NIV), it includes his promise of peace.

If we know God, then we'll have heard of/seen his death-defying, life-fixing power. And, while it's natural to panic when the water starts coming in our boat, the peace he promises means we can take that breath, remember his goodness and ask for his power to come.



So what now? Lock into your memory the times when Jesus was there for you in a 'storm'. Then recollect that memory next time you face a rough time.





— SCRIPTURE —

'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.' John 14:27 NIV
— SOULFOOD —

Judg 16:1-19:15, Matt 13:1-9, Ps 45, Pro 13:13-16