Treasuring the Privilege of Fatherhood
“There arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And [Jesus] was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and [his disciples] 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” (Mark 4:37-39).
In laboring with souls, I have found a very similar problem everywhere I go. I introduce myself to different ones, and the Lord opens the door. It is amazing to see how God works to introduce His word. People have different problems. The most common problems are divorce, separation, and rebellion against good principles. It is a very confusing situation. Many talk about peace. The year 1986 was declared the International Year of Peace, but still there has been no peace. Families, governments, individuals, and world leaders are looking for peace. Meditation and all kinds of therapies are attempted in search of peace.
As Christians, are we experiencing peace?
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
This is the formula for peace - without Jesus there is no peace. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
If we don’t know God, we will never have peace. When we know peace, we are ambassadors for Christ on behalf of the sons and daughters of God. If we don’t know this, we are denying the God of the universe.
Know God, know peace. Therefore, no God, no peace.
Can you give me $100,000 right now from your pocket? I am unquestionably sure you cannot do that. We are to go to the world . . . to give something we may not readily have on hand.
The strongest nation in the world is trying to establish peace in the smaller countries. But peace cannot be set up by force.
In Isaiah 57:21, we read: “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.”
Sin has destroyed peace. “The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt” (verse 20).
“Sin has destroyed our peace. While self is unsubdued, we can find no rest. The masterful passions of the heart no human power can control. We are as helpless here as were the disciples to quiet the raging storm.”1
How many times do you feel as if your life is like a troubled sea? How many nights have you been in bed tossing to and fro? You hear things that bother you.
The Holy Spirit helps us to find a solution, and we have peace. We have hope - and with this hope we can reach peace.
“He who spoke peace to the billows of Galilee has spoken the word of peace for every soul. However fierce the tempest, those who turn to Jesus with the cry, ‘Lord, save us,’ will find deliverance. His grace, that reconciles the soul to God, quiets the strife of human passion, and in His love the heart is at rest. ‘He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still’ (Psalm 107:29).”2
In one area where I was working with a senior minister, we made about seven visits that day. The people that we were able to talk to ended up crying and confessing they have a need to reconcile themselves with God. I believe that was the work of the Holy Spirit. Before bringing people to Christ, we ourselves need to find peace in Him.
“There always have been and always will be two classes on the earth to the end of time - the believers in Jesus, and those who reject Him. Sinners, however wicked, abominable, and corrupt, by faith in Him will be purified, made clean, through the doing of His word. . . . Those who reject Christ and refuse to believe the truth will be filled with bitterness against those who accept Jesus as a personal Saviour. But those who receive Christ are melted and subdued by the manifestation of His love and His humiliation, suffering, and death in their behalf. . . .
“The peace that Christ gave to His disciples, and for which we pray, is the peace that is born of truth, a peace that is not to be quenched because of division. Without may be wars and fightings, jealousies, envies, hatred, strife; but the peace of Christ is not that which the world giveth or taketh away. It could endure amid the hunting of spies and the fiercest opposition of His enemies. . . .”3
It is our duty to share our hope with others. I am completely sure that many will receive this gift if it is offered to them under the influence of the Spirit of God.
“As Jesus rested by faith in the Father’s care, so we are to rest in the care of our Saviour. If the disciples had trusted in Him, they would have been kept in peace. Their fear in the time of danger revealed their unbelief. In their efforts to save themselves, they forgot Jesus; and it was only when, in despair of self-dependence, they turned to Him that He could give them help.”4
Peace abides only with those who have experienced Jesus in their life.
“Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord bewith you all” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).
When we take Jesus out of the life equation, there is disruption because Jesus is no longer the center of our life.
What is peace? It is a gift from heaven, a fruit of the Spirit. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22, 23).
We are told: “Acquaint now thyself with [God], and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee” (Job 22:21). “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14). “Thou wilt keep himin perfect peace, whosemind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3).
The more our faith fastens on Christ in perfect trust, the more peace we shall have. Faith grows by exercise. God’s rule is, One day at a time. Day by day, we must be conscious that we are working in the sight of the angels of God. We are “a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men” (1 Corinthians 4:9). We are to pray: “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11), and the assurance is ours: “As thy days, so shall thy strength be” (Deuteronomy 33:25). “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). If this is our experience, the Holy Spirit will aid our memory, sanctify our abilities, and remind us of our daily and hourly dependence upon our heavenly Father’s care and unceasing love.
“As we are not our own, as we are bought with a price, it is the duty of everyone who professes to be a Christian to keep his thoughts under the control of reason and oblige himself to be cheerful and happy. However bitter may be the cause of his grief, he should cultivate a spirit of rest and quietude in God. The restfulness which is in Christ Jesus, the peace of Christ, how precious, how healing its influence, how soothing to the oppressed soul! However dark his prospects, let him cherish a spirit to hope for good. While nothing is gained by despondency, much is lost. While cheerfulness and a calm resignation and peace will make others happy and healthy, it will be of the greatest benefit to oneself. Sadness and talking of disagreeable things is encouraging the disagreeable scenes, bringing back upon oneself the disagreeable effect. God wants us to forget all these - not look down but up, up!”5
One day I had a problem, and my children detected it. One of them asked me, “Is something wrong?” In blindness I said, “It is none of your business.” After one hour I realized that I had made a mistake. Why? I was on my last missionary visit - I was visiting my own family.
When we arrive home, we may feel like jumping into a bed. But those of our household want to talk, and we should not miss the opportunity to discuss vital spiritual questions. Our home should be the first and last object of our attention.
“Peacemakers! What a treasure is a peacemaker in the family; what a blessing in the church! Peacemakers may be tempted, but their life is hid with Christ in God. They look unto Jesus, copying His pattern. . . . They receive the peace which Christ gives. . . .
“The true nature of our religion is not found in the position we occupy, but in the gentle spirit, the kindness, the peace which we manifest. Our religion is made manifest in the home circle by the atmosphere surrounding the soul that brings happiness to the family.”6
We cannot pretend to people that we have peace when we don’t have it. I believe you can read my face when I don’t have peace. Many times we put our heart on our face. A lack of peace is not to be spread abroad.
“Do not encourage any tempted soul to tell you the grievances of a brother or a friend. Tell them that you do not want to hear their words of censure and evil speaking, because your Counselor has told you in His Word that if you cease to stir up strife and become a peacemaker, you will be blessed. Tell them that this is the blessing you are craving.”7
If one speaks softly or walks slowly or has tears in the eyes, that does not necessarily mean that peace is enshrined in his or her soul. The world offers peace with hypocrisy. They hug you and kiss you, but what do they say behind your back? Peace achieved through any sacrifice of principle is no peace at all.
“Christ did not for an instant seek to purchase peace by a betrayal of sacred trusts. Peace could not be made by a compromise of principles. . . . It is a grave mistake on the part of those who are children of God to seek to bridge the gulf that separates the children of light from the children of darkness by yielding principle, by compromising the truth. It would be surrendering the peace of Christ in order to make peace or fraternize with the world. The sacrifice is too costly to be made by the children of God to make peace with the world by giving up the principles of truth. . . . Then let the followers of Christ settle it in their minds that they will never compromise truth, never yield one iota of principle for the favor of the world. Let them hold to the peace of Christ.”8
“There is no fretfulness seen in the home if Christ is the peace principle exercised in your soul. There is no uncourteousness there. There is no roughness or sharp speech there. Why? Because we believe and act out that we are members of the Royal Family, children of the Heavenly King, bound to Jesus Christ by the strongest tie of love - that love which works by faith and purifies the soul. You love Jesus and you are constantly at work to overcome all selfishness and to be a blessing, and comfort, and strength, and a support to the souls He has purchased with His blood.”9
“No cry from a soul in need, though it fail of utterance in words, will be unheeded. Those who will consent to enter into covenant relation with the God of heaven are not left to the power of Satan or to the infirmity of their own nature. They are invited by the Saviour, ‘Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me’ (Isaiah 27:5). The spirits of darkness will battle for the soul once under their dominion, but angels of God will contend for that soul with prevailing power. The Lord says, ‘Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? . . . Thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children’ (Isaiah 49:24, 25).10
“God is very pitiful, for He understands our weaknesses and our temptations; and when we come to Him with broken hearts and contrite spirits, He accepts our repentance, and promises that, as we take hold of His strength to make peace with Him, we shall make peace with Him. Oh, what gratitude, what joy, should we feel that God is merciful!”11
In the midst of a terrifying storm, “[Jesus] 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?” (Mark 4:39, 40).
“When Jesus was awakened to meet the storm, He was in perfect peace. There was no trace of fear in word or look, for no fear was in His heart. But He rested not in the possession of almighty power. It was not as the ‘Master of earth and sea and sky’ that He reposed in quiet. That power He had laid down, and He says, ‘I can of Mine own self do nothing’ (John 5:30). He trusted in the Father’s might. It was in faith - faith in God’s love and care - that Jesus rested, and the power of that word which stilled the storm was the power of God.”12
Let us make an individual application of the words referring to the disciples: “Their (MY) fear in the time of danger revealed their (MY) unbelief. In their efforts to save themselves (MYSELF), they (I) forgot Jesus; and it was only when, in despair of self-dependence, they (I) turned to Him that He could give them (ME) help. . . .
“When the tempests of temptation gather, and the fierce lightnings flash, and the waves sweep over us, we battle with the storm alone, forgetting that there is One who can help us. We trust to our own strength till our hope is lost, and we are ready to perish. Then we remember Jesus, and if we call upon Him to save us, we shall not cry in vain. Though He sorrowfully reproves our unbelief and self-confidence, He never fails to give us the help we need. Whether on the land or on the sea, if we have the Saviour in our hearts, there is no need of fear. Living faith in the Redeemer will smooth the sea of life, and will deliver us from danger in the way that He knows to be best.”13
May this be our experience today. If you want to be an overcomer and have success in your spiritual life, let God take you and guide you.
Remember the assurance: “Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:9, 10).
May the Lord make this experience ours. In the name of the Lord Jesus, Amen.