And they entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.”–John 6:17
“It was now dark”–those few words sum up the situation. They had been sent out on the sea alone, a storm was developing, it was dark, and no help was in sight. Dread was sure to follow.
We’ve all found ourselves in a similar situation. Although not in a boat or on the sea, we find ourself in a storm of some sort and, in our mind, there doesn’t seem to be any way out. We are alone and alarmed. We have followed the Lord’s directions, but we are in the dark and scared stiff. Why? We followed His command, instead of rebelling, so why are we in this sad scary situation? Something about this just doesn’t seem fair. We can’t help but wonder “Why?” Why this? Why me? Why now?
God doesn’t answer all our questions, but we do know there is a good reason for His actions—we just don’t see it. However,I believe we can see enough so as to find comfort. Think about it. We are reading the story of an event that happened nearly 2000 years ago–a story that reminds us of God’s great power. And we aren’t left in the dark with the disciples being in the dark. We have the rest of the story. We know that Jesus saw them, came to them and delivered them. They were comforted and now, if we’ve really paid attention, so are we. We are helped by knowing that they were helped.
Now things start to make sense. Not only did the disciples benefit from this experience so do we. That’s the way it shoud be. We need to remember that when we are in the dreadful darkness of some danger, we’re not seeing the whole story. Others are affected by what happens to us just as we are affected by reading this story. In other words, for every trial that comes your way God has a plan that goes beyond how you are affected. He intends for others to profit as well.
Paul had this in mind when he spoke of “the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort”(2 Cor. 1:3). He reminds us that we are comforted “that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God”(2 Cor. 1:4). Every problem has a purpose, a purpose that includes others. What you’re going through might not seem to benefit you, but it will work for some good just as God has promised. You are not the most important person in the world, nor am I. And, since we belong to God, we should not complain if He wants to use us in some way that will minister good to others. After all, is that not what He did with His own dear Son? He endured the darkness of the cross for you, and He did so with joy (Heb.12:2). Think about it!
