Appearances can be deceiving!

Sea of Galilee

     And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6). ESV

For the most part I truly enjoy life!  We all of course, have down times, when the rub and rawness of life leaves us wounded…and weary.

We all have known successes, triumphs, and celebrations when life just seems to flow…and we enjoy the journey…sometimes immensely!

Challenges come and go, as do disappointments.  I read once….

"Disappointments, can be Appointments for God”

The people the writer of Hebrews is writing to, were  people who loved the Lord! They believed in God that was not the issue. They were being persecuted for their faith and that reality had left them spiritually spent. They were not strangers to disappointment!

And so, God through the hand of this unknown writer strengthens their faith with these words…. whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

 Remember they believed, they knew that God was real; they needed to be reminded that no matter what the obstacle…in their case persecution, God was in control! That is to say God still was consistently dependable, even though it might appear that He is not!


We need that reminder many times in our own faith walk. That God is in control, that He is all powerful…that He still is….even though it may appear that he is not.


Appearances can be and are deceiving! 

I often think of our Lords sleeping in the back of the disciple’s boat, only to be awakened by fear racked followers, struggling to keep their fisherman’s boat from capsizing, as they endured a storm on the sea of Galilee.


They were men of the water; they had made their living by enduring severe storms to bring a “catch” of fish to shore….and ultimately to market. 

On one occasion when they had lingered to long in the water, a storm began to brew; powerful winds came down from the Golan Heights as they still do today.


And the disciples in surveying the situation said: "Save us, Lord; we are perishing”


The complete story is tucked away in Matthews Gospel:

24And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing." 26And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even   winds and sea obey him?" (Matthew 8: 24-27). 

Ever felt like that?  Life’s disappointments and adversity like waves continue to pummel your life’s boat!  There seems to be no way out, or escape for you…and you conclude…."Save us, Lord; we are perishing”

When you feel like that, and you will.  There is an anonymous writer, who steps out from the pages of the New Testament, to remind you, to remind me…. That, without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6). ESV

The way may be dark for you just now, but the Lord knows just where you are.  He may seem oblivious (Asleep) to the relentless waves, which you fear will capsize your life.

Remember....Appearances can be deceiving!
   
He is fully aware!

"Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even   winds and sea obey him?"

He is God, He is near, He is aware!

Why not today, right now….rest in that truth!

This song from Larnelle Harris, reminds me where real strength comes from, when appearances are deceiving!


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