by Don Geyer
​
The Living Word:
One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” The region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee.
Luke 8:22-26

The Word in Motion:
I was reading this passage this morning and I wondered, what would it have been like if the disciples truly believed in Jesus to the fullest extent? Perhaps the Scripture would read: One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. One of the disciples went to wake him but Peter said unto him, “Did not the Master say unto us, ‘Let us go over to the other side of the lake’? Therefore, do not wake him, but let us to the other side. We will be safe in the midst of this storm.” The storm raged on and the boat was filled with the sea, but they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee.  Not Luke 8:22-26

In thinking this way, I am struck by two things.

First, Jesus expects us to have faith in him. With the disciples, it was at least a little excusable. This was all new. They were pioneers in the faith and lapses like this could be expected. We, however, have the benefit of history. We really have no excuse for weak or non-existent faith. The disciples, the early church, our forefathers, a “great cloud of witnesses” all paved the way for us to have the most extraordinary faith – but in reality we’re no better than the disciples that Jesus would ask us, “Where is your faith?”

The cool thing about this is that we can rewrite our story. Much like I have done with the disciple’s story. All it takes (or would have taken for the disciples) is to make a different decision. Look at the circumstances around us and evaluate our chances, or take Jesus at his word. It isn’t always that simple, but it is. Belief is just a decision. The sooner you make the right choice, the easier it will be to build faith, so that next time, the decision comes naturally.

As a simple exercise, try this. Look up all the times Jesus said to someone, “Where is your faith?” or the ever popular “Oh, ye of little faith!” rewrite the story. What would it have looked like with the decision of faith?  

Second, BECAUSE the disciples reacted the way they did WE have something very reassuring. If they didn’t wake him up he wouldn’t have rebuked the wind and the raging waters. We wouldn’t have this account that shows us that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him. A powerful assurance that Jesus has everything in control in our lives. And this is an important lesson we need to know. And of course, that’s the reason this story is here. It’s not to point out the failings of the disciples, but to display the power of Jesus (who, by the way, is the same yesterday, today, and forever).

This story is also a wonderful example of the way God takes our failures, fears, and doubts and turns them into something good (Romans 8:28). The disciple’s doubt was our gain. But don’t stop there, what about your past doubts? You may not always see it, but God is at work in those, too. Don’t be discouraged if you waivered in the past. God can (and maybe already has) use them for good. Maybe for you, maybe for someone else. Have faith.

In the meantime, rewrite your story.

by Cindy Geyer

Living Word:
Yet, this I recall to mind; therefore, I have hope…Lamentations 3:21

Word In Motion:
So much has happened in this last year, some of it good and some of it bad. Many have lost loved ones due to COVID-19, cancer, and other circumstances. In the support group for the disease I have, 6 people have died from COVID-19, just in the last 2 weeks. Many are struggling due to finances and lack of fellowship with family and friends. There are  people in physical pain and emotional pain. Loss, fear, loneliness, discouragement etc... so many prayer requests for help.

I have suffered through many of these circumstances. Death, grief, fear, physical pain and even loneliness. There have been times that I am so overwhelmed by the emotions and pain, that I cannot think straight and want to whine or even give up…

In Lamentations 3, King Solomon says how the bitterness and the gall have overwhelmed him and his soul is downcast within him. He says he well remembers them, meaning he dwells in them, or as my mom used to say, “wallows in them”. They have consumed him, and his soul sinks into despair.
I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness, and the gall.  I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet, this I recall to mind; therefore, I have hope…
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:19-23
 
Then something within Him pauses and grasps onto a truth…
YET (definition: nevertheless; in spite of the bitterness, even so, still, however,) in all the bitterness and discouragement, he pauses and chooses to recall something that gives hope, something that strengthens his soul…
 
God is faithful, and His love never fails. He responds with the knowledge that God IS his source of help, comfort, strength, and his portion. He recalls that God’s compassion for him fails not and through His mercies he is not consumed.  So, therefore he will hope in Him.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” Lamentations 3:22

I realize that I can tend to wallow in my despair and remember it well.  Fear, worry,  discouragement, sorrow can overwhelm me. My soul becomes downcast with in me. 

A verse I hold close to my heart is Isaiah 40:28 - Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of universe. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 
Did you read that? God’s understanding no one can fathom. He understands our circumstances, our emotions, our hearts. An understanding no one can fathom. Wow!
​
The whole chapter of Isaiah 40 is the Lord telling us to recall who He is. Reminding us of His strength and compassion. His understanding that no one can fathom. His depth of love, compassion, and understanding for our situations that no one can measure or grasp. It is so deep, so high, so wide, and so long. An understanding that bridges the gap between despair and comfort.

Like Solomon, I must pause in the pain, in the sorrow, in the despair and cry out, Yet…
To recall who my God is and therefore have hope. So here it goes….

My God is full of compassion and understanding. Through His mercies I will not be consumed. He is faithful; therefore, I have hope.

I recall also that He is my mediator. He stands before the Father interceding on my behalf. How can I be consumed by this world when I have Jesus, the Son of God praying and interceding for me? There is no way God would not answer his prayers. Therefore, I have hope.

This I will remember and will not despair: When I grieve, He is understanding and compassionate. When I am afraid, He is there. When I fall, He is there to pick me up, When I struggle, he is interceding on my behalf.  When I am weak, He is strong. Though the earth gives way, and the world is uncertain…I will not fear! My God is my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. He is my portion. Therefore I have hope”.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Psalm 46;2

So, in this new year, 2021, when you are feeling discouraged, fearful, overwhelmed, or maybe just wallowing, pause and recall this to mind and therefore have hope:

He is the everlasting God, compassionate and full of understanding. His mercies are new every morning, you will not be consumed. His love never fails. He is your refuge and strength, your ever-present help in times of trouble.
​
Great is your faithfulness.
Therefore, I have hope.