“Asleep, On a Pillow”

(Thanks to our dear sister in Christ and friend Karen for the reminder about this most blessed truth.)

         

    “There arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.  And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Master, carest Thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:37-38). 

    The Lord Jesus Christ trusted in His Father’s care for both Himself and His disciples.  He knew that no one could or would perish in a journey that began with His pronouncement, “Let us pass over to the other side” (Mark 4:35). 

     Had the disciples better known their Master, they would have realized that His complete lack of concern regarding the storm plainly indicated that no wave, no wind, and no amount of rain or sea could have swamped ship or sailor.  The Lord Jesus trusted in His Father’s providential care, knowing that the purposes of God for His life were yet to be fulfilled.  Thus, He slept when other strong men well accustomed to stormy seas cowered in fear.  “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).

     So long as we can gaze into the hinder part of our ship, as it were, and see the Lord Jesus asleep on a pillow, we can join Him in rest.  Regarding God’s working in our lives, our Savior’s brow is unfurrowed, He does not wring His hands in nervous trepidation, and His heart beats at the normal rate.  Certainly, storms will rage in our lives, tempting us to fear that we will be swamped and drowned.  “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” beckons us to His peace because by spiritual definition, born again believers have entrusted all care to Him (Hebrews 12:2).  As long as we know He remains calm, we can therefore rest with Him in the peace of Providence.

     Let us gaze into Heaven, beholding the unfurrowed Brow, the relaxed Hands, and the Heart at peace.  In both small matters and large, our Master perfectly trusts in His care for us.  He can weave both blessings and buffetings into our best interests, and He will waste nothing in our lives as He fulfills God’s loving purposes for us.  “Asleep, on a pillow.”  The ancient image of quiet tranquility whispers to us in this hour that as our Lord rests, so may we rest with Him.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee.”

(Isaiah 26:3)