. He saw that they were in serious
trouble, by J. R. Miller. Jesus made His disciples
get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side. After
leaving them, He went up a mountainside by Himself to pray. He saw that
they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against
the wind and waves. About three o'clock in the morning
He came to them walking on the water. Mark 6 45-48 Jesus did not come immediately. Indeed, it was almost morning
when He came, and the disciples had been struggling all night
in the storm. Yet He had not been indifferent
to them meanwhile. From the mountainside where He
was praying, He kept His eye upon them. He saw that they were
in serious trouble. All that dark night He kept a
watch upon that little boat that bore His disciples in the midst
of the waves. There is something very suggestive
in the narrative. This boat in the storm is a picture
of Christ's friends in this world, in the storms of life. Sometimes
we think we are forgotten, but from His place in glory, Christ's
eye is always on us. He sees us struggling, battling
with the waves, beaten and distressed. He has full sympathy with us
in all our struggles. It ought to be a great strength
and comfort to us in trial to know this. Jesus intercedes for
us in our distresses. It may not be best always to
deliver us immediately, but his prayer continually ascends that
our faith may not fail in the struggle. This also should encourage
us. Then he always comes in time. He may delay long, but it is
never too long. If we call upon Him in trouble,
we may be sure that He hears and sees us, and knows just how
hard it is for us to endure, that He prays for us, that we
may not fail, and that He will come at the right time for our
deliverance.