4 November 14, Tuesday Perception Or Reality? Read: Mark 4:35-41 Master, carest thou not that we perish? —Mark 4:38b We often hear it said, “Perception is reality.” That idea for Americans may have dawned on September 26, 1960—the date of the first televised debate between two presidential candidates. In front of the cameras, John Kennedy appeared composed; Richard Nixon appeared nervous. The perception was that Kennedy would be a stronger leader. The debate not only turned that election, but it also changed the way politics is done in the US. Politics by perception became the rule of the day. Sometimes perception is reality. But not always—especially our perceptions about God. When Jesus and His disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee in a small fishing vessel, a sudden storm threatened to sink the boat. With Jesus asleep and the disciples on the verge of panic, they began to stir Him, asking, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:38). Their question sounds similar to questions I’ve asked. At times I perceive God’s apparent inactivity as a lack of care. But His care for me goes well beyond what I can see or measure. Our God is deeply concerned for what concerns us. He urges us to place all our care upon Him, “for He careth for [us]” (1 Peter 5:7). That is true reality. O yes, He cares; I know He cares! His heart is touched with my grief; When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares. —Graeff Even when we don’t sense God’s presence, His loving care is all around us. Insight It appears that each of the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) had a distinct audience and approach to telling Jesus’ story. Some scholars believe that Mark’s telling of the story was directed primarily to a Roman audience, and that his approach to Christ was to present Him as the “divine Servant.” This theme is rooted in Jesus’ own words about His mission when He said, “And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:44-45). This theme would have had a strong connection for a Roman audience in the first century. Mark 4:35-41 35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? God cares!!! Jesus knows all about our struggles, He will guide til the day is done. No matter what your perception is of your circumstances the reality is that theres not a friend like the lowly Jesus, no not one, no, not one. He knows and cares and answers prayers. Psalm 4:1, 4-5, 8 1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. 4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. 5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD. 8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. We can lay down in the midst of our storms just like Jesus. Be still and know that God cares. Hes the Master of the sea. The reality is that He is with us in every storm. He can give us peace that passes all understanding. Sometimes He calms the storm and other times He calms the child in the storm. Psalm 34:1-11, 15, 17, 19, 22 1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. 9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. 10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. 11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. 17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. 22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. Jesus cares and knows about all our struggles & troubles. He can deliver us from them all. Psalm 64:1, 9-10 1 Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy. 9 And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing. 10 The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory. Psalm 94:17-18, 22 17 Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. 18 When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up. 22 But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge. The reality is that the LORDs our rock and in Him we can hide and abide. Hes a shelter in a time of storm. Psalm 124:1, 4-5, 8 1 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say; 4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: 5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul. 8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. The waters were seemingly about to overwhelm the disciples in Mark chapter 4, but they had The Helper on board. They had the Master on the ship. They had the Maker of heaven and earth with them and for them. Our help cometh from the LORD!!! Glory! Proverbs 4:5-10, 18, 20-23 5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. 8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. 9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. 10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. 18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. 23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Posted on: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 13:26:10 +0000
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