Stay sensitive toward, God.

Jesus Walking on Water*

   

   Did you know that a hardened heart simply means you are putting your trust in and are believing what the world says about a matter instead of what God says? When you relate more to the things in the natural realm than the you do the supernatural realm your heart is hardened to God in those areas. Have you ever been surprised when you saw something miraculous like someone had a doctor tell them a problem they diagnosed in someone was no longer there and there was no explanation for it and they say it must have been a miracle, or you prayed for something and it came to be? That is how the disciples were when they saw Jesus walk on water toward them in Mark 6:48-52. 

Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. 49 And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” 51 Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. 52 For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.

   It was dark, the winds were high and they were struggling with their oars. Jesus walks out to them and they fear it is a ghost so Jesus told them not to be afraid for it was Him.  He got in the boat with them and the wind stopped. The disciples were were surprised, astonished. Then in verse 52 we see their amazement  was because their hearts were hardened. Let’s back up here. Jesus had sent them out on that water just hours before. Being fisherman they knew it was not a good night to go out, but they obeyed Him. That doesn’t look like a bunch of hardened hearts. But they were. Read verse 52 again and you will find it says they were astonished because they had not considered the spiritual miracle they had seen just hours before when Jesus fed 5,000 with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. They saw Jesus meet the needs of all of those people, but were powerless to believe Him to meet their need. When He did, they were astonished. The hardening of our hearts is subtle and a process.  It is when we slip into mixing in the world’s voice with what God says that we slip, step by step,  into unbelief. Jesus had been teaching those boys for some time but they had not understood the significance of the miracles they witnessed.

   When you are sensitive toward God you have peace, joy and the victory you inherited when you were born again as a child of God. Take time today with God, read His Word, keep your focus on God and His Word, and your heart will be sensitive toward Him and what He says. You will live your life living it as the child of a King you are!

*Jesus Walking on Water cross stitch  pattern by Ann Logan.