When Jesus went up alone on a mountainside to pray, he sent the disciples ahead of him to Bethsaida in a boat. During the evening, the wind picked up, and he noticed the disciples in the middle of the lake. The Bible says in Mark 6:48, “[Jesus] saw the disciples straining at the oars” (NIV). Jesus sees where you’re struggling, and he knows the storm you’re going through, just like he was aware of the disciples’ struggle on the lake. The disciples were unaware that Jesus was paying attention to what was going on in their lives, and they became afraid. We always get afraid when we think God isn’t paying attention, even when we know it isn’t true. We forget that God pays attention to every single detail of our lives. God knows when you didn’t get enough sleep last night, when your stomach is upset, when the phone call made you worry. He knows every detail of your life. Job 31:4 says, “God sees my ways and counts every step I take” (NCV). You don’t even count every step you take! But God does. That’s how detailed he is in your life. He knows your life far better than you do. He cares about every detail, and he’s paying attention. Not only does Jesus see when you’re going through the storm, but he also sympathizes with it. The Bible says in Hebrews 4:15, “Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin!” (CEV) Why can Jesus sympathize with the storms you go through? Because he also went through them. God became a human being and came to Earth. He knows what it’s like to be tired, frustrated, criticized, confused, and tempted. So when you talk to God about the storm you’re in, he’s not wondering what it’s like. He’s praying for you — specifically, personally, and intentionally. God knows when you’re going through a storm. He notices, and he cares. -Pastor Rick Warren
Posted on: Mon, 14 Jul 2014 18:50:29 +0000
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