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Back to Basics – True Comfort

by Joshua MacClaren - November 19, 2020

What are you afraid of?

Maybe you have a fear of physical things like snakes, bugs, or heights? Perhaps you fear something emotional like the loss of a relationship, or not getting along with your coworkers? If you have a child, I bet you’ve had to deal with the fear of the dark, or monsters under the bed.

As we come to the end of 2020, it seems like we have a lot to be fearful of.

Our country is in a time of political and social uncertainty, and it is easy to be fearful of the implications this may have for us as a community. What about COVID-19? It is on the rise here in Tioga County and the fear of spreading it to someone we love, or even contracting it ourselves, may be great. In fact, an article published this November from the New York Times reflected these thoughts. The top three fears amongst American voters polled were that the next generation would be worse off, the loss of American democracy, and becoming ill with COVID.

Questions can easily flood to our heads in light of these fears, “Am I going to be okay? Are my loved ones going to be okay? Will these things ever go away?”
In light of seemingly insurmountable odds, is there any relief? Is there any comfort in the midst of these real fears that we have?
I want to share with you a portion of Scripture from Mark 4 that reveals where I believe true comfort lies.

Let me read to you Mark 4:35-40.
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
Of all people to be struggling with fear, the disciples were it. We read of a great storm that came upon Jesus and His disciples on the sea of Galilee. Their boat was filling up with water, and in danger of sinking.
And to make matters worse, they found Jesus sleeping in the boat. So they cried out, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
I think we can ask the very same things. God, do you not care that all of these things are going wrong in our lives and country today?

Have you ever found yourself asking something like this?

How does Jesus respond to the disciples? What comfort does He bring? Let’s continue reading:
39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the
sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

We read that simply by speaking, Jesus calms the wind and the seas. They very laws of nature bow to His will. Jesus had brought peace and tranquility in an otherwise restless storm.

In the same way, as the world seems to be like a restless storm, and we are filled with great fear because of politics, COVID-19, and anything else, understand that Jesus is able to bring abundant peace and comfort to your heart as He did the wind and the sea.

If you continue to read in the gospel of Mark, you learn that Jesus was greater than humanities greatest problem, sin against a holy God. He died on the cross in the place of sinners and resurrected from the grave, so that we might be made right before God and have restored relationship with Him.

Friend, Jesus is bigger and more powerful than our greatest problems. Jesus was greater than the water and wind battering the disciples boat. He is greater than the sin that infests our hearts. He is greater than the crippling fear that grips our lives. Believe on Him and He will bring you abundant comfort and peace, and be able to lead you through the storms of life.

If you have any questions, or would like to talk more about this you can call Wellsboro Bible Church at 570-724-3741, or email me at joshua@wellsborobible.com

Credits:

Videography: Ethan Chabala
Video Editing: Ethan Chabala
Writing: Joshua MacClaren

Produced by Vogt Media
Home Page Sponsors: Penn Wells Hotel / Lodge, Akiko's Floral Arts

 
 
 
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