4th Sunday After Trinity
Readings: Job 38v1-11; Psalm 107v1-3 & 23-32; 2 Corinthians 6v1-13; Mark 4v35-end.
Let us pray: May the words of my mouth, and the thoughts and meditations of all our hearts, be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer.
What we also learn from this book is that it is okay to run to God to cry, to complain and to ask God to help us. However, miracles that rescue us will not always be provided. For as Paul says in his letter to the people in Corinth, even though we may suffer in all sorts of ways here on earth, we should not be despondent because we have a God who we can call on in our time of need. Then, as we call, God draws close to us and comes alongside us in order to help us to bear with the suffering and get through it.
Sometimes God does give us miracles, like that in the gospel of Mark. For whilst out on the lake, these experienced fishermen found themselves in a terrifying storm that was so bad they thought they were about to die, so they turned to Jesus and asked him to save them. Jesus got up from sleeping and did as they asked by ordering the wind and the waves to calm down and cease what they were doing – and the storm ceased immediately and completely. Afterwards, when Jesus asked why they were afraid, the disciples only answer was to wonder just who Jesus was because he was able to command the wind and the sea.
It is no wonder that since ancient times that people who have believed and trusted in God have given thanks and praise to God. Like in psalm 107, which tells us that God hears the prayers of people in all kinds of troubles, and the part of the psalm appointed for today reminds us that people who worked out at sea understood the dangers they faced, put their trust in God and gave thanks that God heard their prayers and led them safely back to harbour.
Today, we are called to do the same. To understand that troubles do not come from God and are not a punishment. We are also called to turn to God at times of trouble and to hold on to God who is with us. Then, whatever God chooses to do in reply to our cries, we need to give God thanks and praise.
Let us pray: Day by day dear Lord, of you three things we pray: to see you more clearly, to love you more dearly and to follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen
Thank you for joining us.