Verses from Mark

忽然起了狂风，波浪不断地打进船来，舱里积满了水。耶稣却在船尾靠着枕头睡着了。门徒把他叫醒，对他说：“老师，我们要死了，你不管吗？” 耶稣起来，斥责了风，又对海说：“不要作声！安静吧！”风就停止，大大地平静了。然后对他们说：“为甚么这样胆怯呢？你们怎么没有信心呢？”门徒非常惧怕，彼此说：“这到底是谁，连风和海都听从他？”(马可福音 4:37-41)

A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:37-40)

Sometimes perception is reality. But not always—especially our perceptions about God. When Jesus and His disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee in a small fishing vessel, a sudden storm threatened to sink the boat. With Jesus asleep and the disciples on the verge of panic, they began to stir Him, asking, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38).

Their question sounds similar to questions I’ve asked. At times I perceive God’s apparent inactivity as a lack of care. But His care for me goes well beyond what I can see or measure. Our God is deeply concerned for what concerns us. He urges us to place all our care upon Him, “for He cares for [us]” (1 Peter 5:7). That is true reality.

O yes, He cares; I know He cares!

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my Savior cares. —Graeff

Even when we don’t sense God’s presence, His loving care is all around us.

And God knows you better than you know yourself, He knows your needs better than you. God knows what you truly need.