Morning, September 14
Go To Evening Reading
“There were also with him other little ships.”
Mark 4:36
Jesus was the Lord High Admiral of the sea that night, and his presence
preserved the whole convoy. It is well to sail with Jesus, even though
it be in a little ship. When we sail in Christ’s company, we may not make sure of fair weather, for great storms
may toss the vessel which carries the Lord himself, and we must not
expect to find the sea less boisterous around our little boat. If
we go with Jesus we must be content to fare as he fares; and when
the waves are rough to him, they will be rough to us. It is by tempest
and tossing that we shall come to land, as he did before us.
When the storm swept over Galilee’s dark lake all faces gathered blackness, and all hearts dreaded shipwreck.
When all creature help was useless, the slumbering Saviour arose,
and with a word, transformed the riot of the tempest into the deep
quiet of a calm; then were the little vessels at rest as well as that
which carried the Lord. Jesus is the star of the sea; and though there
be sorrow upon the sea, when Jesus is on it there is joy too. May
our hearts make Jesus their anchor, their rudder, their lighthouse,
their life-boat, and their harbour. His Church is the Admiral’s flagship, let us attend her movements, and cheer her officers with
our presence. He himself is the great attraction; let us follow ever
in his wake, mark his signals, steer by his chart, and never fear
while he is within hail. Not one ship in the convoy shall suffer wreck;
the great Commodore will steer every barque in safety to the desired
haven. By faith we will slip our cable for another day’s cruise, and sail forth with Jesus into a sea of tribulation. Winds
and waves will not spare us, but they all obey him; and, therefore,
whatever squalls may occur without, faith shall feel a blessed calm
within. He is ever in the centre of the weather-beaten company: let
us rejoice in him. His vessel has reached the haven, and so shall
ours.