JESUS TO THE RESCUE

"Then [Jesus] got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded…" (Mark 6:51)

Sometimes we are, as it were, in the middle of the lake and the storm breaks, usually from a quarter we don't expect, and we are doubtful whether the little boat is going to stand it. We feel helpless, making no progress and are inclined to say: "I have gone to bits; I have no help, no support. This cannot be a spiritual life." We begin to lose our grip. The boat is very cranky and unstable, the waves very threatening and steep, the sky darkening. We are in utter wretchedness and discouragement.

It was like that when Jesus got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. Then the situation was transformed by His presence. One way or another, life brings every awakening Christian soul this experience. When we recognize and reflect on it -- for it may come in a way that seems very simple -- it fills us with awe and grateful love. God in Christ intervenes between us and the storm that threatens to overwhelm us. His power is brought into action just where our action fails. He comes to the rescue of those caught in the toils of circumstance…

Certainly life is not made soft for Christians but it is, in the last resort, safe. The universe is safe for souls [when Christ is there]. 

-- Evelyn Underhill in “The Soul's Delight”

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TRUSTING IN GOD OUR SAVIOR

“But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, ‘Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.’”  (Isaiah 43:1-3a NLT)

What do we do when the earth shakes, the mountains split in two, and the sun and the moon go dark?

We do exactly what we should do every day: live the gospel as Jesus preached it and lived it, trusting not in ourselves nor in the material world but in God, who was at the beginning and will be still after the end.

-- Mary Anna Vidakovich in “Meeting God on the Mountain”

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EVEN THOUGH… I WILL

On page after page of Scripture, we find people in situations where life has closed in on them. It might seem logical for them to chuck their faith. We wouldn’t be surprised if they turned away from God in the midst of difficulty, or if they leaned toward their favorite addiction in an attempt to feel better. Unfortunately, that’s what too many people do when the going gets tough.

See, when life turns hard for us, we’re almost always tempted to welcome the Enemy at our table. But when we realize that Jesus invites us to follow Him even though life is hard, we discover the foundational truth for winning the battle of our minds. That is the depth of faith we see throughout the Bible…

The prophet Habakkuk stated it clearly when he cried out:
“Even though the fig trees have no fruit
    and no grapes grow on the vines,
even though the olive crop fails
    and the fields produce no grain,
even though the sheep all die
    and the cattle stalls are empty,
I will still be joyful and glad,
    because the Lord God is my savior.”  (Habakkuk 3:17-18 GNT)

The last two lines indicate a huge faith. And did you notice the two phrases repeated three times in Habakkuk’s prayer?

“Even though… I will…”

These two phrases lay out a powerful cause-and-effect relationship as an example for us to follow. Even though bad things happen, I will still praise the Lord. 

– Louie Giglio in “Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table”

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THE WATER OF YOUR SOUL

“But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."  (John 4:14 NIV)

Jesus does for your soul what water does for your body. And, thankfully, we don’t have to give Him directions.

We give none to water, do we? Before swallowing, do you look at the liquid and say, “Ten drops of you go to my spleen. I need fifty on cardiovascular detail. The rest of you head north to my scalp. It’s really itchy today.” Water somehow knows where to go.

Jesus knows the same. Your directions are not needed, but your permission is. Like water, Jesus won’t come in unless swallowed. That is, we must willingly surrender to His lordship. You can stand waist deep in the Colorado River and still die of thirst. Until you scoop and swallow, the water does your system no good. Until you gulp Christ, the same is true…

Internalize Him. Ingest Him. Welcome Him into the inner workings of your life. Let Christ be the water of your soul. 

-- Max Lucado in “Come Thirsty: No Heart Too Dry for His Touch”

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FAITH THAT TRANSFORMS

Faith is much like a journey -- it’s not just about reaching a destination but about the transformation that happens along the way. Here are the journey markers:

BELIEVE – Faith starts with belief. It is more than knowing about God -- it is trusting in His love and promises. As John 3:16 reminds us: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Belief is the first step of surrender, a foundation on which everything else is built.

BEHAVE – True belief changes how we live. As James 2:17 says, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” When we trust in God, our behaviors shift -- we serve more, love deeper, and reflect His character in our choices. Walking with Christ is a daily transformation, shaping us to live according to His purpose.

BELONG – Faith isn’t meant to be walked alone. Romans 8:15 declares, “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.” In God’s family, we find acceptance, encouragement, and a place to grow. We don’t just believe and behave -- we belong to something greater.

BECOME – Faith is a journey of becoming. 2 Corinthians 3:18 speaks of transformation: “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory.” As we believe, behave, and belong, we grow into who God created us to be -- more loving, more faithful, more like Him.

God invites us to believe in His truth, behave in obedience, belong in His family, and become transformed by His grace. Through this process, we step into the fullness of His plan.

-- SOUND BITES Ministry, compiled from a variety of source

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