The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-01-13

knew the storm was coming when ne
sent them out upon that lake to cross
to the other side. 1t may have looked
like. fair weather to them. Tnere
may have been no hint from the air
or sky of the coming storm. But all
the time he knew what they were 60
ing to meet OF: there upon The water.
And he knows our way. He is &C.
quainted with every step that lies be-
fore u.s. We have met no storm that
has not first blown past him and we
may boldly say with the Psalmist OF
old, my times are in Thy hands,"
We can hear him say as we see the
storm-clouds gathering, "As thy day
SO shall thy strength be-" Had
these disciples known 1t the presence
of the storm was no sign they were
out of his place, and this Is as true
| for us. But the storm was there and
he had sent them into it with it's con-
sequent toll. @
Place of Danger.
The difficulty and danger of their
place was not because of the toll.
They were doing what they were ae-
customed to do for they were fisher
men on that lake. Neither did their
difficulty and danger come from the
storm. From their long acquaintance
with that lake they would be familiar
with storms. But their danger arose
| hoaorea of &bo;r LOYALTY t0 tho Mas
| ter's command. He had told them
| to go to the other side, knowing that
If they went, they would go against
! wind. and. wave. They may moi have
made much progress against thu
storm, but at least they were headed
right in the path OF obedience. 1t Il
In this path of obedience that thu
Christian meets the difficulties HI
finds he must sometimes go agains
the storm of public opinion, the wine
that rises in the business world some
times blows contrary to him, and evel
In his home he may meet difficultie
If he obeys the Lord. 1t is compare
lively easy to run with. the storm; |
is difficult to row against 1t.
Place of Safety.
Their safety came not because o
their seamanship. They were goin
not only contrary to the wind, bu
contrary to their knowledge Of how t
handle the boat in such time y
stress. Had they exercised their sea
| mould hnun
about and run before the storm, bu
because the Master had said to 90 fol
ward, their loyalty to his comman
forbade them seeking safety In dis
obedience. However, they were sti
In the place of safety in spite of thei
seeming recklessness. Neither wer
they safe because of the seaworth
ness of their boat. However good tn
boat may have been, they were doin
the very thing that their experieno
told them would swamp it. But W
are told in verse 48 that the Maste
was watching them. He could measul
the weight Of every wave and til
force of every blast of wind. e
would know just the moment to So
"Peace, be STILL" to both wind an
waves. 1t is not what we see ar
know, but what he sees and know
4 He who notes the spafrow's fall ar
Y counts the hairs of our head wi
|. never place us where the waves al
$ too mighty or the wind too stron
s Place Of Satisfaction.
o Finally he comes to them waikiki
/, upon the sea and moving against Il
}. contrary wind, He passes through Il
: wind that was so difficult to them wi
:" perfect ease. The storm ragged abo
him as 1t did about them, but he w,
superior 10 1t ALL The measure
our obedience to him will be Il
! measure of our superiority to eve
, storm, our calmness in every DANCE
f and our safety in every difficulty.
this should meet the eye OF enc
,. Gods tempted ones in the midst
stress and storm, let him know th
a in the midst of the darkness he
. alongside, walking with them again
the contrary wind and saying "Be
: good cheer. 1t Is I, be not afraid