First of all, weve got to realize Gods proximity, Gods location. I bring you back to Matthews account in Chapter 8, verse 23. Then He [being Jesus] got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. Imagine if I said, Okay, you can buy a boat at Bass Pro Shop and take that boat to the Gulf of Mexico. And, as you make this trip to Cuba, someone else is going to ride with you in the boat: God. How many of you would feel confident? Boy, I would. Id say, Bring Cuba on. Im ready. The Gulf of Mexico. A little bass boat. God, youre driving. I dont have any worries. I think wed all feel confident if we could see God right there. The disciples had God in the boat, and they didnt realize it. I can cut them some slack, because they didnt realize who Jesus was at this moment.
But I cant use that same excuse and neither can you. For twenty centuries Hes been riding in crafts. Hes been helping people. Hes there for you. Hang on to Him. Love Him. Let Him captain your ship. Heres what the prophet Isaiah said about storms. Isaiah 43, verse 2 says, When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. In other words, whatever youre going through, remember that youre going through. Youre going through. That gives me confidence, knowing that I will never face anything in my life alone.
What are facing? Are you facing now the loss of a loved one? What are you facing: a career change? What are you facing: relational turmoil? What are you facing: sickness? Whatever youre going through, if you realize that Gods right there by you, youre going through. Realize Gods proximity.
Also, realize something else. Realize that God cares. God cares for you. Mark Chapter 4, verse 38: The disciples woke him and said to him, Teacher, dont you care if we drown? Ive said that before in storms. Havent you? God, do you really care? I mean, come on, God, I dont really feel you right now. I cant really see you right now. Do you really care? I hope you didnt miss what I just said. I didnt feel you right now. We get all focused on feelings and, often times, we miss God.
Yes, our relationship with God brings forth great feelings. Often times, though, it does not. Sometimes we dont have that feeling.
Ed Young Church reminds us that we just need to be obedient and follow the Lord. We need to realize that He cares for us, and then, as we do what the Word says, the feelings will follow.
