You Can Rest in Him

You Can Rest in Him

Excerpts from "Christ in the Vessel" by CH Mackintosh

Mark 4:35-41

 

The disciples are at sea with the Master, at His request. A storm comes up, but He sleeps peacefully on a cushion in the stern. The men become agitated with the fear of perishing. Can the vessel sink with the Son of God on board? They did not think of the Son of God at that moment, they focused on the storm, the filling vessel, the waves -- unbelief looks only at the circumstances, and leaves God out. Faith looks only at God and leaves circumstances out.

 

When we see our distress as God's opportunity -- a time where we are "shut up" to God -- providing the platform where God may display His glory , then He can fill us as empty vessels.

 

Faith would have allowed the disciples to lie down and sleep beside their master in the midst of the storm. Unbelief, on the other hand, rendered them uneasy to the point where they would ask Him "Carest thou not?" He had never demonstrated that He was indifferent to their trouble or danger, but they had lost sight of His love, to say nothing of His power.

 

In all our pain and trials, He will supply our need. When we are brought to the end of ourselves and ready to ask the question "Carest thou not?" --  His heart is grieved that we believe that He would fail to care for us. 

 

We are so easily terrified. Every breath of wind, every wave, every cloud, agitates and depresses us. Instead of calmly lying down and reposing beside our Lord, we are full of perplexity. Instead of using the storm as an occasion for trusting Him, we make it an occasion for doubting Him.

 

He may say to us, as He did to His disciples, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"  Faith is implanted in us by Him, then tried in the furnace. But oh, His tender love! He is ever near to shield and comfort us, even though our unbelieving hearts are so ready to doubt His Word. We can have confidence in Him because He does not deal with us according to our poor thoughts of Him, but according to His own perfect love toward us.

 

Can we perish or falter with the 'Master on board ?' May the Holy Spirit teach us to make a fuller, freer, bolder use of Christ! It must be Christ Himself, laid hold of and enjoyed in the heart by faith.  Then, instead of asking, as the disciples did in fear: "What manner of man is this?" we will be led into peace and joy – and that will give Him glory and praise!

I HAVE NEVER BEGUN TO LOVE YOU

While I'm preparing the next study, I'll post some excerpts from my favorite authors. This first one is a poem by one of my favorite contemporary Bible teachers (most of the guys I study have been home with the Lord for over a hundred years!).  I'm very particular about words and how they are used (as some of you know, having heard me change lyrics when I sing along with Christian songs). I love Ed's Bible teaching, he gives meticulous attention to the words of Scripture and to the way the Divine Author uses them. Even when teaching doctrinal principles, Ed's poetic voice hums in the background as He appeals to the visual mind. You will see what I mean as you read this poem!

 
I HAVE NEVER BEGUN TO LOVE YOU
by Ed Miller

(Jeremiah 31:3)

I have never begun to love you;
You were ever, my heart's delight,
Before galaxies swarmed, before matter was formed,
Before angel hosts ever took flight.

In the unbeginning beginning,
When, in silence, I reigned above,
In My purpose I knew I would always love you
With an everlasting love!

When your life and your sin were future,
Long before you began to be,
Then, I already knew, all the things you would do
To provoke and to aggravate Me!

In My love, I sent you a Savior;
You had not seen the light of day;
Generations would turn long before you would learn,
That I washed your sins away!

When in wisdom and skill I formed you,
As a weaver would work a loom,
You were never aware, I was loving you there,
In the darkness and depths of the womb!

I watched over you and your mother
'Till the hour of your precious birth,
With one life from the cord, and one life from the Lord,
You were welcomed to the earth!

In the fullness of time, I drew you;
You were moved by My awesome Grace;
I revealed My Son, and the work He had done;
You responded by seeking My face!

Not the unsung glories of Heaven;
Not the sight of Jesus above,
Can add more to the length, or increase on the strength
Of My everlasting love!