In our daily lives when we face the stormy situations of trials and tribulations we often get depressed. It is like stormy weather with dark clouds and lightning around us. We are all aware that Jesus could calm the storm and the sea, Matthew 8:23-27 and Mark 4: 35-41. Jesus was sleeping in the stern of the boat. With Jesus, with them, the disciples should have had faith. But they were scared of the storm and woke Him up. Jesus called them men of little faith and cowards. Today even we of proclaimed strong faith behave like the disciples. Even without us calling upon Him, Jesus travels with us in our lifeboat. But we do not remember this at all. He is waiting, listening for us to call Him into our lives.
Let us make our forefather, Abraham a model to live a Christian life. He took his only son, Isaac to offer sacrifice to God. How did he endure the pain on the way to Moriah? Any heart would melt and shatter at the question asked by the boy carrying wood for the sacrifice. The innocent Isaac asks in Genesis 22:7-8 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. The answer by Abraham reflects his complete faith in God. ” God himself will provide the lamb”, What a beautiful faith it is!! The faith Abraham had in God was magnificent and unfailing.
Every Sunday we attend worship service in the church. How many times does the priest say “Peace be with you all”. Seven times. And we answer with “And also with you”. Are these only words to be repeated every Sunday or do we believe and experience it?? We are all aware of the story of the prodigal son Luke 15: 11-32. Now let’s imagine if the story went like this:
The father holds a grand feast to celebrate the return of the prodigal son. But the son was sad and dejected, and sat down alone in a corner. Seeing him sitting in a corner, the father went up to him. He said,” Son, I have held this feast for you. Why are you unhappy?”. The son replied,” Father, the guests are calling me names-cruel, shameless, selfish, self centered. They are all mocking me.”
The son continues,” Father, I did not misuse or squander the money. When I left home and traveled , I saw a poor family and helped them. Then I saw a man who had no clothes, so I gave him money to buy clothes. Later I met a man under a lot of debt. I helped him also with the money. Like this I helped a lot of those who needed money. Finally I ran out of money.”
He started crying and said,” I went back to all those I had helped. But none of them recognized me or helped me. They did not even offer me a drink of water. They all threw me out.” Sobbing into his father’s shoulders he said,” Then I finally took the job of a caretaker for pigs and fee them. I was hungry and longed to fill myself with the pods that pigs were eating. But no one gave me anything.”
“I thought of you father. If i fall at your feet and begged for forgiveness, you would forgive me. So I came back home back to you.” The father held the son to his bosom and kissed him. And said,” I had sent my men after you. I know you are a simple person and kind hearted. You will never refuse anyone who asks for help when you have money.” Shocked,the son cried, ” Father you let me suffer so much for the money”. Smiling the father replied,” My dear son, this property is yours. I only want you. I was scared for you that once you got the money and left home, you would never return back home. That is why I sent men after you and told them to refuse to help you”.
This means that our heavenly Father is also well aware of our trials faced in daily lives. Our Father desires that we do not fall for the temptations and instead always walk His path in His presence. He wishes to keep us in the palm of His hand. Do you understand and experience this?? Whenever we face a problem, do we pray with our hearts, O Father in heaven, lead me to the path of righteousness by holding my hand. Do we submit ourselves before Him?? He is waiting for us to call Him to take control of our lifeboat.
Matthew 7:7, 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Luke 13: 34,…how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.
AMEN
Jehovah Roi 