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Panic. Hysteria. Fear. Toilet paper hoarding!
The whirlwind of panic is swiftly sweeping across the world because of the coronavirus. In the Bible (Mark 4:35-39), a sudden, violent storm arose on the Sea of Galilee. The gale force winds accompanied by boat-swamping waves were so severe that the followers of Jesus thought their boat would sink and they would drown in the depths of the churning waters. (Mark 4:35-41). Enter PANIC. Peter and his buddies pushed the proverbial panic button. They pressed it hard and long. But while Peter and the boys panicked, Jesus slept like a baby in the back of the boat. Simply amazing! Jesus sleeping while the boat is sinking. The Lord’s followers couldn’t understand how the Master could sleep at a time like this. Peter was so panicky, that he woke Jesus up and accused the Lord of not caring about the disciples. Two blunders: waking the Lord up from a nap and accusing Him of not caring. Have you ever accused the Lord of not caring about you when you were going through a life storm? Peter, at the height (or depth!) of his personal panic attack, thought they were going to perish. Jesus didn’t panic even though panicky Peter pathetically attempted to convince Him the ship was going down to Davey’s locker. Hey Peter, drowning was not the plan of the day. The Lord and His followers were not going to perish. God was sending them across the lake to do ministry, not to the sea’s bottom to die a miserable death. Instead of panicking like Peter, Jesus took charge. “And being aroused, Jesus rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.” Mark 4:39 Proactive, bold, and confident, full of faith, the Lord got up, rebuked the wind and told the sea to be quiet! The winds died down and the waves ceased. Perfect calm in a perfect storm. Then Jesus lovingly but firmly rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith. Peter panicked because he lacked faith. The boat wasn’t sinking, but the disciple’s faith was. Jesus had given them authority over trouble. Instead of exercising it, they panicked and would have perished had Jesus not been on board. The lesson for you and me: Don’t push that panic button, JESUS IS ON BOARD! Are you prone to pushing panic buttons? Let’s talk straight about our current national situation. From Washington to Wall Street to Main Street, panic buttons are sounding loud and clear. Governmental leaders, financial gurus, political pundits, pulse-taking pollsters, media maniacs, vote-seeking politicians, and people everywhere are screaming panic at the top of their individual and collective lungs! Self-righteous, self-absorbed, self-seeking, self-ambitious people in strategic places have stirred up storms in order to tempt good people like you and me to panic! Trust me on this. There are people in places pf power and influence who want you and me to push the panic button. Panic means someone has to bring calm and order to the situation. Guess who the deliverers might be? They are the people pushing the biggest panic buttons! Their goal is to control your life and mine. They will manipulate storms to stimulate fear and stampede people to panic. Be on guard against panic because panic producers are in reality power hungry peddlers of confusion and disorder that paves the way for them to ride in on their white horses and save the day. Sounds like end times, Anti-Christ stuff doesn’t it? Without question potentially devastating storms have arisen and are threatening to swamp and sink our ships. Worldwide viruses. Health issues. Tumbling stock markets. Personal and family finances. Rising food and prescription costs. Upcoming national election. Taxes. Up and down retirement funds. Terror threats. The car breaks down. Scuttlebutt your company is laying off workers. Health issues. Relationship stress. Negative media messages. Panic button stuff—if you panic and forget that Jesus is on board! A feeling of perishing can lead to panic attacks and pushing panic buttons. Panic people abound. Bless their fearful little hearts. Panic attack is the theme of this season. Here are a few observations about potential panic producing situations.
So Christian, what are you going to do? While panic’s voice stalks our land, will you cry with the misguided throng or trust in Jesus who inhabits your heart and is your life? Has this man-produced “perfect storm” caused you to hunker down in panic mode in the bunker of fear and unbelief? Or do you have “perfect calm” in this season of storms because you are hunkered down with Jesus in the bunker of faith and trust in Him? If you are struggling with a spirit of panic, do this right now” Panic, hush, be still in the name of Jesus! If in the future if you are fearful and the panic button is looking good to you, get over it right away. Rebuke panic. Reaffirm your trust in the Lord. If you think you have to worry about something, think about what our nation will be like if the panic button people have their way? When Jesus is on board, everything will turn out all right! “The steadfast of mine Thou will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in Thee. Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4 “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you, not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, not let if be fearful.” John 14:27 A WORD FOR YOUR WEEK: When tempted to panic, DON’T!!! |
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