Questions, Questions - Part Two
And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? - Mark 4:35-41
In yesterday’s devotion, we discussed the disciples’ question: “Lord, don’t you care?” In case you missed it, you can go back and read it here.
Today, I want to look at the double whammy of questions posed by Jesus to the disciples. Two questions back to back, never even giving time for the men to answer the first before uttering the second, which is probably best since the disciples didn’t seem to have an answer for either one—only more questions.
“Why are you so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?” These are not tender inquiries. There is a rebuke in them. I detect a hint of frustration and accusation or perhaps sadness, especially in the latter question. In fact, that inquiry holds the weight of a dozen questions.
Don’t you trust me?
Don’t you know who I am?
Don’t you know I control the wind and waves?
Haven’t you seen what I can do?
Did you think I would let you die?
How could you even doubt that I care for you?
Didn’t I say we were going to the other side?
And on and on. . .
Oh, I can’t help but wonder how many times the Lord has spoken these questions to my heart. “Dana, why are you afraid? How is it that ye have no faith?” Honestly, like the disciples, I have no answers, only more questions. Why don’t I have more faith? Why am I afraid? Haven’t I seen God come through time and time again? Don’t I know that my life is in His hands and He is working all things for my good? Haven’t I meditated on His Words repeatedly? Aren’t they hidden in my heart, ready for every attack from the enemy? Then, why, oh why, do most storms have me running for cover while pointing an accusing finger at God and whining, “Don’t you care this is happening to me?”
Fortunately, the Lord does care. He cares enough to still my storm or to still me amid my storm. But more than that, He cares for me enough to ask the tough questions. Why? Because He knows I can be so much more than a scared little girl who jumps every time someone says “Boo!” And He loves me enough to bring my fear to the surface so I can examine it more closely and figure out the answer to His questions. Why am I afraid? Where is my faith? And, of course, He doesn’t simply pose the question and leave me to figure out the answer for myself. He leads and guides me. He gives me wisdom. And above all, He is patient with me. As much as I hate to admit it, sometimes I’m a slow learner.
What about you? How do you react to the storms in your life? Have you, too, been questioned by Jesus, “Why are you afraid? How is it you have no faith?” If so, do you have an answer or simply more questions?
The good news is Jesus loves us. Nothing we say or do can make Him love us any less or any more. Even when we doubt, God loves us beyond measure. Even when we can’t understand why we’re afraid, He cares. And even when our spiritual life seems to be an endless game of Questions Only, the Lord helps us to grow in Him. He didn’t leave the doubting disciples on the wind-tossed seas because of their lack of faith, and He won’t leave us either. His promises are true. He will never leave us or forsake us. Never! Even when we’re full of questions.
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