Thank God for the Crisis, and Repent

Devotional by Becky Gates, mission copilot and wife of David Gates, co-founder of Gospel Ministries International, Inc.

As pilots, we've been through many storms, and we've discovered that the only safe thing to do is to keep our eyes on the instruments.  Jesus' disciples didn't have any fancy instruments for their boat, but twice they discovered that the only safe course for them was to keep their eyes on Jesus.  What a lesson for us today!  These two stories have been a great encouragement to us through almost fourteen years of ministry.

In the first story, found in Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:36-41, and Luke 8:22-25, we see Jesus and His disciples getting into a boat to cross to the other side of the lake. For days Jesus had been working so much that He hardly had time to eat or sleep (something we certainly can relate to).  Desire of Ages page 334 says, ". . . overcome with weariness and hunger, He lay down in the stern of the boat, and soon fell asleep."

The disciples didn't mind. Several of them were fishermen. This was something they could handle, or so they thought. Suddenly a terrific storm overtook them.  "Those hardy fishermen had spent their lives upon the lake, and had guided their craft safely through many a storm; but now their strength and skill availed nothing.  They were helpless in the grasp of the tempest, and hope failed them as they saw that their boat was filling." Ibid.

We certainly can identify with those disciples.  How many times we have come to the point where we felt our ministry simply could not stay afloat!  And time after time God has led us to this story for encouragement.

"Absorbed in their efforts to save themselves, they had forgotten that Jesus was on board." Ibid. It is amazing to think that the disciples could have forgotten something that important! But honestly, aren't we just the same?

How often are we tempted to take care of God's work on our own instead of turning to Jesus, who is our only hope? How often are we tempted to cry out, "Master, carest Thou not that we perish?" Mark 4:38.

Praise the Lord that we have such a patient, loving, compassionate God, for we are told that "Never did a soul utter that cry unheeded." DA, 335. "When Jesus was awakened to meet the storm, He was in perfect peace. There was no trace of fear in word or look, for no fear was in His heart. . . . He trusted in the Father's might." DA, 336.  Jesus knew nothing could happen to Him unless it was OK with His Father, therefore He was not afraid. Oh, to have that kind of peace and trust in our heavenly Father! We believe that is why God keeps allowing us to go through these difficult times so that we can develop that kind of faith.

As soon as Jesus heard the disciples' cry for help, He stood up in the midst of that raging storm and said three little words, "Peace; be still."  What power in those words of God! That storm immediately calmed down. The beautiful, amazing thing is that God's Word never loses its power. It is just as effective today as it was that night so long ago. We can claim that peace.

Another amazing thought is that as long as Jesus was in that boat, that boat could not sink! The same goes for God's work. As long as Jesus is with us, leading and directing, His work will NOT fail!  There is a beautiful song in Spanish that we love to listen to which confidently declares, "Jesus is my Captain; yes, Jesus is my Captain. I know my boat will not sink, because Jesus is my Captain!"

"How often the disciples' experience is ours! . . . We battle the storm alone, forgetting that there is one who can help us. We trust to out own strength till our hope is lost, and we are ready to perish. Then we remember Jesus, and if we call upon Him to save us, we shall not cry in vain. Though He sorrowfully reproves our unbelief and self-confidence, He never fails to give us the help we need . . . and deliver us from danger in the way that He knows to be best." Ibid.

The second story is found in Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-51, and John 6:15-21. Jesus has just fed the 5,000 men plus women and children with only five loaves and two fishes, truly an astounding story. Can you blame those people for wanting to make Him king right on the spot? But Jesus knew that would only lead to violence and insurrection, hindering the work of His spiritual kingdom (DA, 378), so He "constrained His disciples to get into a ship and go before Him unto the other side, while He sent the multitudes away." Matthew 14:22. This time Jesus is not in the boat.

Sadly, we read in Desire of Ages, page 380, that the disciples were griping and complaining because Jesus had not allowed Himself to be crowned king. They allowed doubts to poison their minds and even questioned whether Jesus could be an impostor, as the Pharisees were saying!

How different this story could have been if they had followed the example of Jesus. He was praying! "For hours he continued pleading with God. Not for Himself but for men were those prayers." DA, 379.  Mrs. White goes on to say that "The memory of that precious, glorious day should have filled them with faith and hope."  Instead, "their thoughts were stormy and unreasonable, and the Lord gave them something else to afflict their souls and occupy their minds." DA, 380

Another terrific storm hit them, a storm so violent that once again they feared their boat was about to sink. Have you ever tried to imagine what it was like to be in that boat? Have you imagined the driving rain, pelting you like bullets, chilling you to the bone; the fierce wind almost knocking you down; the fear you experience as lightening zaps all around you followed immediately by deafening cracks of thunder; the helplessness and hopelessness you feel as you madly bail out water with a little container only to have another huge wave crash over the side of the boat? (Those who have never lived outside their comfort zone may have a difficult time imagining this!)

Hour after hour the disciples battle on. One watch, two watches, three watches... How many times during the night they must have recalled that other storm and longed for the presence of their beloved Master, longed to hear those words, "Peace; be still." Then comes the fourth watch. (Why does God always seem to wait until the last moment?!) More than likely by now all hope is gone.

But "Jesus had not forgotten them. The Watcher on the shore saw those fear-stricken men battling with the tempest. Not for a moment did He lose sight of His disciples. . . When their hearts were subdued, their unholy ambition quelled, and in humility they prayed for help, it was given them." DA, 381. Then Jesus did the most amazing thing. He calmly walked on water! Is anything too hard for the Lord? And that is when the disciples stopped looking at the crisis and looked instead at Christ! And Christ changed, wonderfully changed, that hopeless situation.

What wonderful lessons there are for us in this story!  Jesus hasn't changed. He loves to do the impossible for us, but we have to keep our eyes on Him, or like Peter, we are going to sink. Like the disciples, we have so little faith; we are so quick to doubt and fear; we are so concerned about ourselves, so self-dependent. But Jesus is our Captain. What an example He has given us of prayer, faith, fearlessness, unwavering confidence and total dependence on God.

Let's get down on our knees, truly repent, thank God for the crisis He allowed to come our way to shake us out of our complacency, and keep our eyes on Christ!

Vol 1, Chap. 70, Testimonies: Abridged

by Ellen G White

The great work to be accomplished now, is to bring up the people of God to engage in the work and exert a holy influence. They should act the part of laborers. With wisdom, caution, and love, they should labor for the salvation of neighbors and friends.

There is too distant a feeling manifested. The cross is not laid right hold of and borne as it should be. All should feel that they are their brother's keeper, that they are in a great degree responsible for the souls of those around them. The brethren err when they leave this work all to the ministers. {1T 368.2}

God is displeased with the lack of self-denial in some of His servants. They have not the burden of the work upon them. They seem to be in a deathlike stupor. Angels of God stand amazed and ashamed of this lack of self-denial and perseverance. While the Author of our salvation was laboring and suffering for us, He denied Himself, and His whole life was one continued scene of toil and privation. He could have passed His days on earth in ease and plenty, and appropriated to Himself the pleasures of this life; but

He considered not His own convenience. ... And now, [how] can it be that we, the unworthy objects of so great [a] love, [would] seek a better position in this life than was given to our Lord?...

Can we look upon Christ crucified and wish to enter His kingdom in any other way than through much tribulation? {1T 370.1}

God's chosen servants wept and prayed for a clear understanding of truth, and suffered privation and much self-denial in order to carry it to others.

Step by step they followed as God's opening providence led the way.They did not study their own convenience or shrink at hardships. Through these men God prepared the way and made the truth plain to the understanding of every honest mind. {1T 370.2}

I was shown the Waldenses,

and what they suffered for their religion. They conscientiously studied the word of God, and lived up to the light which shone upon them. They were persecuted, and driven from their homes; their possessions, gained by hard labor, were taken from them, and their houses burned. They fled to the mountains and there suffered incredible hardships. They endured hunger, fatigue, cold, and nakedness. The only clothing which many of them could obtain was the skins of animals. And yet the scattered and homeless ones would assemble to unite their voices in singing, and praising God that they were accounted worthy to suffer for Christ's name. They encouraged and cheered one another, and were grateful for even their miserable retreat. {1T 371.1}

Again, I was shown Martin Luther,

whom God raised up to do a special work. ... Yet he counted not his life dear. ... Luther was about to appear to answer for his faith before a most imposing assembly, and he looked to God in faith for strength. For a little time his courage and faith were tested. Perils in every form were presented before him. He became sad. Clouds gathered around him and hid from him the face of God. He longed to go forth with a confident assurance that God was with him. He could not be satisfied unless he was shut in with God. With broken cries he sent up his agonizing prayer to Heaven. His spirit at times seemed to faint, as his enemies, in his imagination, multiplied before him. He trembled at his danger. I saw that God in His wise providence prepared him in this way that he might not forget in whom to trust, and that he should not rush on presumptuously into danger. {1T 374.1}

Luther's prayer was heard. His courage and faith returned as he met his enemies. Meek as a lamb he stood, surrounded by the great men of the earth, who, like angry wolves, fastened their eyes upon him, hoping to awe him with their power and greatness. But he had taken hold of the strength of God and feared not.{1T 374.2}

The last merciful message is entrusted to God's humble, faithful servants of this time. God has led those along who would not shun responsibility, and has laid burdens upon them, and has through them presented to His people a plan of systematic benevolence in which all can engage and work in harmony. This system has been carried out and has worked like magic. It liberally sustains the preachers and the cause.{1T 375.3}

Our work here is soon to close, and every man will receive his reward according to his own labor. I was shown the saints' reward, the immortal inheritance, and saw that

those who had endured the most for the truth's sake will not think they have had a hard time, but will count heaven cheap enough. {1T 381.2}

EGW - A Forestaste of Heaven

Meditation Leads to Love and Fellowship

by Ellen G. White

My brother, you will be sorely tried and tempted at times; but ever remember that Jesus Christ is at your right hand to help you. Cast all your burdens upon the Lord, for He hath promised, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.”

“Rest yourself wholly in the hands of Jesus. Contemplate His great love, and while you meditate upon His self-denial, His infinite sacrifice made in our behalf in order that we should believe in Him, your heart will be filled with holy joy, calm peace, and indescribable love.

As we talk of Jesus, as we call upon Him in prayer, our confidence that He is our personal, loving Savior will strengthen and His character will appear more and more lovely. We will understand that He does not “afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.”

We may enjoy rich feasts of love, and as we fully believe that we are His by adoption, we may have a foretaste of heaven.

Wait upon the Lord in faith. The Lord draws out the soul in prayer, and gives us to feel His precious love. We have a nearness to Him, and can hold sweet communion with Him. We obtain distinct views of His tenderness and compassion, and our hearts are broken and melted with contemplation of the love that is given to us.

We feel indeed an abiding Christ in the soul. We abide in Him, and feel at home with Jesus. The promises flow into the soul. Our peace is like a river, wave after wave of glory rolls into the heart, and indeed we sup with Jesus and He with us. We have a realizing sense of the love of God, and we rest in His love.

No language can describe it, it is beyond knowledge. We are one with Christ, our life is hid with Christ in God. We have the assurance that when He who is our life shall appear, then shall we also appear with Him in glory. With strong confidence, we can call God our Father.

Whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. His Spirit makes us like Jesus Christ in temper and disposition, and we represent Christ to others.

When Christ is abiding in the soul, the fact cannot be hid, for He is like a well of water springing up into everlasting life. We can but represent the likeness of Christ in our character, and our words, our deportment, produces in others a deep, abiding, increasing love for Jesus, and we make manifest in word and deportment that we are conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” The language expressed by John will be the language of every individual soul: “We have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

Read also Psalms 63 & 104