How Frightened You Are

# 357 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 4:40, But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"

The Lutheran commentator Lenski, an expert in the Greek language renders this passage as follows: “And He said to them, how frightened you are! Have you not yet faith?” Do you see the difference?

One is a question, the other is an observation. Let's run with the Lenski version for the purpose of this devotion. Jesus makes an observation.

Just as the disciples could physically observe the calamity around them with the effects of the wind and the raging sea. Jesus could observe the turmoil in the disciple's souls. And so He says, “Wow, you guys are really scared! You guys are lacking peace! You're just like this raging sea!

Then He makes the great connection for His disciples and us! “Have you not yet faith?” It is faith in Jesus that brings peace! What was it that brought peace to the sea? Ultimately, it was the sea submitting to the will of God.

Faith is a matter of trusting Jesus and His words. The psalmist says, “Great peace have those who love Your law,” (Ps 119:165) Ultimately peace comes to those who exercise faith. As the prophet Isaiah said, in Isa 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

Trust and obey, Submit to the will of God and receive peace.

I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word