A Sleeping God

May 9

(Psalm 44:23-26 NIV) “Awake, O Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever. {24} Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression? {25} We are brought down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground. {26} Rise up and help us; redeem us because of your unfailing love.”

(Mark 4:35-41 NIV) ““That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." {36} Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. {37] A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. {38} Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" {39} He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. {40} He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" {41} They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!””

When traveling with the Lord, storms sometimes arise, and do not quickly subside. This can cause great anxiety. We can be swamped and even despair for our lives. It can seem like God is sleeping and neglecting His duty to protect us. Our faith is tested. When Jesus walked this Earth, He needed sleep, but our risen Lord has no such need. The King of glory does not slumber or sleep. He needs no rousing. He is with us. He lives in us. Call on Him when the storms rage and you are fearful. God will not let us drown. The winds of testing and the waves of trouble cannot sink the ship of faith. God will not always take us around the storms, but He will always get us through them. There is something to be learned in the valley of the shadow of death. These days are not allowed so our faith will be depleted. They come so that our faith might be increased and strengthened. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day