WHO IS THIS MAN...?

January 16   Who Is This Man…?   Matthew 8:27

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!”  (Matthew 8:27)

Several years ago, Daddy and I went deep sea fishing.  Early that morning, we boarded the boat and we set out for a great day of fishing.  The ocean was calm and the winds were light and the anticipation of a successful day was before us.  Everything was just as anticipated and just as planned.  Keep in mind, this fishing boat was huge and the ride out to the “Deep” waters was smooth and uneventful.  Oh well, things change!  Late afternoon, the clouds began to thicken and the wind began to steadily blow.  We kept fishing, with some success, and I kept watching the faces of the deck hands that were assisting us.  The winds grew stronger, the waves began to get taller and my stomach began to have a mind of its own.  The Captain called out that we were in the edge of a storm and that we were headed back to the dock.  Folks, if we were on the edge of the storm, Thank God, we were not in the midst of it.  The one thing that was clear, this boat may be big, from my perspective, yet, in the edge of this storm, it was like a leaf blowing in the wind.  The Captain was rushing to shore as the storm engulfed our craft.  Listen, within minutes, everyone on the boat had forgotten fishing and were concentrating on keeping their lunch!  We finally reached the dock, gathered our stuff and quietly walked to the truck.  I stepped off of the dock and started to run to the truck.  I glanced over at my Daddy and he was just walking normally.  “Daddy, hurry up!”  “Why, Son? We are already soaking wet.  We can’t get any wetter!”  We reached the truck and got in and we began the short journey back to the Oceanana Motel.  On the ride back, Daddy said, “Today was a time when you would want Jesus on board with you!”  I asked him, “Why?”  “Because He controls the wind and the sea obeys Him!” Folks, in the middle of the storms of life, remember who is in control and who it is that has control of our lives.  All of us go through storms, yet, we do not have to fear!  I do not understand the events, the displays of hated and chaos that we are in the midst of, at this moment in time, however, I am 100% positive that God is in control and, fortified with that knowledge, I am walking in the calm of promises and the strength of His control.  We MUST remain faithful, we MUST claim the Calm of His Promises, and we MUST continue to serve Him in obedience and TRUST!  Whatever may come, I am assured that HE WILL SEE ME THROUGH!  “What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!”  This is my Jesus, my Savior and my Lord! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!