Mark 6:32-56
I won’t copy all the verses here, but this portion of scripture tells of the feeding of the five thousand with five loaves and two fishes. Then the chapter goes into a storm. A miracle followed by a storm. That is how it often goes in life and our faith is tested. Will we remember, during the storm, the God who blessed and broke the bread, multiplied the fish, then had leftovers? The disciples did not, for Jesus wasn’t on this boat that was thrown about by turbulant seas. He was walking on water and they didn’t recognize Him. So many times in my life I’ve missed Jesus in the storm. I’ve been so blinded by the conditions I haven’t recognized His form right in the middle of my trouble, His presence powering over the elements, His Word ready to calm the wind. The miracle of the bread and fish being long forgotten, I’ve been afraid. But when He speaks, these are the words that make it all bearable inspite of the storm-vrs 50″Be of good cheer: it is I;be not afraid.” I’m sure today, if you are caught in the middle of chaos, if you look around, He is there. The same One who broke the bread and the fish before, will calm your storm today.

We often quote that great biblical fact that “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Psalm 37:23). It’s something that believers truly believe! But sometimes life gets chaotic enough to make us wonder and ask, “Lord, where’s the order? I think we took a wrong turn!” The Word never said that God would do things in OUR order, the way we expect, or like we think we need….because He alone knows the end from beginning. He alone knows in what ORDER our steps should be taken. He gently and lovingly leads us along, through valleys, then up mountains, then through rivers, and sometimes straight through the enemy’s camp, until we completely and fully trust Him with the journey. Remember, Jesus holds the map. He made the map! Your steps have been ordered, but they may not be in the order that you would would choose. Let’s give credit where credit is due here…Has God ever walked you off a cliff? And note that when you are standing at the edge of peace, teetering on the hard realities of earthly life, His hand is big and His arm is long and strong. Somehow, someway, even in our failures, weaknesses, and mistakes, He gets us back in line…order. His order. I like the order of grace.