A furious squall came up and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" - Mark 4:37-41

Often the people around us, and conditions of this world cause us grief. Scripture tells us about a man named Job who was once wealthy and he had a loving family. However, he lost his wealth, his children and finally his health.

Yet, in all of this, he did not lose God. He trusted in God who sustained him. Eventually God rescued Job from his miserable state. He also rescues us from our human conditions and miserable state because he cares.

In the above text Jesus and his disciples are at sea. During the short journey Jesus fell asleep. While he was sleeping, a furious storm developed. In all of this Jesus was sound asleep.

One might ask, "How can anyone sleep in such a storm?" Well I can answer that. I have often slept through torrential rain and lightning storms without even knowing they happened.

The disciples were really afraid. They were so afraid that they roused Jesus from his sleep. They inquired of him,"Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" "Do you really care about me, about us?" People all over the world often ask this same question. What a question to put to Jesus. He cares sacrificially for all humans.

Many are fearful and they are asking questions, "Who cares?" The citizens of a country ask their government similar questions as they lose their jobs, homes and eventually their families. Lovers ask their mates, "Do you care?" Children ask their parents similar questions. They all feel that they are at sea, in a furious stormy.

Unfortunately when people get into desperate situations, they do not know where to go for answers. Some seek out family, friends and/or politicians. Others do terrible things such as turning to crime, while some make the ultimate choice -- they take their own life.

The word and the promise of God can help us deal with our fears and desperate situations. The Psalmist, in his time of distress wrote: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strong hold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" [Ps. 27:1]

The disciples turned to Jesus for relief. They needed what he had to offer. We all need that too. Jesus is Lord of the sea and the wind. He took control of the situation, restoring peace and calm to the troubled water. That's what he does in our lives.

Therefore, when life's woes get you down, your situation becomes desperate and you feel like the disciples felt out there on the windswept waters, don't push the panic button. Turn to Jesus. He will give you a way out of your dilemma.

"Who cares?" God in Christ Jesus cares. He is there in the boat and riding the rough waves with you. When you stumble, he will steady you. When you fall, he will pick you up. He said, "I will be with you always, even to the very end of the world." Fasten your eyes on the cross of Jesus Christ. You will be alright. He cares. Amen.

o Reverend Samuel M. Boodle, pastor at The Lutheran Church of Nassau, can be reached at P. O. Box N 4794, Nassau, Bahamas, or telephone 426-9084; E-mail: lutheranchurch@coralwave.com.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian