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!