There are two readings for today.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 3
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. [Matthew 8:24-26]
Asleep in the storm, resting while danger rises around Him.
Little faith, so afraid, how could anyone sleep in this situation?
I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side. [Psalm 3:5-6]
I have been awake through the night, times when I could not sleep because my mind was so restless, so agitated, or so worried.
Even though I know there is nothing I can do from there, I still wrestle in my mind, looking at the problem or challenge from all angles.
Those times are ripe for Satan to stir the pot, to make me fear even worse things.
So would Jesus say to me “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?”
What would He have me do instead?
There’s no sense beating myself up for doubt and struggle in these moments.
Instead I need to keep on doing what I am doing, only do it better.
Not worry, but using my mind to dwell on the Lord, on His presence, His power, His purpose.
Someone might argue that this won’t change a thing, to which I respond ‘does worrying change a thing’?
But then I would go further and say ‘it does change things!’
Where we set our minds affects our emotions, even our physiology.
The psalmist did not defeat the tens of thousands by sleeping, but because he was using his mind (as expressed in this Psalm) to focus on the Lord, his emotions his body were much more relaxed, he was in a better space and better able to respond to what was happening.
Faith and fear are opposites.
I am not saying that those with fear have no faith, for I often find myself a mixture of faith and fear.
But active faith (choosing, determining to focus on the Lord) counteracts active fear (choosing, determining to focus on the problem).
These in turn produce feelings of faith or feelings of fear.
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things… And the God of peace will be with you. [Philippians 4:8-9]
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for David’s example of “resting in peace” in the midst of his trial. Help me to set my mind to rest in You too!