Arizona republican., 1919-10-26

prayer, and so little of the inner life of Jesus, to understand.
 Verse A. For the wind was con- trary. It is a singular providential CO., incidence, that while Jesus was strug gling with prayer on the mountain, his disciples were struggling with the wind on the sea- This wind detained them as if on purpose to give occasion for the miracle which startled them just before the break of day.
 Verse 25. Jesus had come down the mountain side likely between and 4 o'clock and stepped out on the water walking toward the boat the disciples were in.
 Verse 26. It is a spirit Being early in the morning before the break of day; the disciples were not able to distinguish anything but the dim out line of a mans form walking over the rough waves, and 4t is no wonder that they thought him a disembodied spir- it, and they were overcome with that unreasoning fear which all men ex- perience in the visible presence of be- | ings from the other world. They would have sent the boat flying over the water had they only the power. How often, when in danger we would flee to human aid instead of our loving heavenly Father.
 Verse 27. Be of good cheer In the midst of all danger the Christian has the assurance that Jesus will come to his deliverance. But we must believe with our whole hearts, doubting never
 Verse 2S. Bid me come unto thee Their fear was instantly removed ywhen they heard the well known voice of the Master exclaiming to them, "Tt is I, be not Afraid" and Peter, with the impulsiyeness of a boy, WLA al- ways wants to attempt any surprising feat which he sees another person per form, requests the Lord to let him toe walk on the water.
 Verse 29. And he said come. But instead of Peter going to Christ, Christ had to rush to the rescue of his frienc who thought so much of himself that he began to sink beneath the waves And so, it ever is that our selfish thoughts keep us from throwing puI whole beings into the great program Jesus has outlined for us
 Verse 90. He was afraid" Likt other nasty adventurers, Peter soon found himself in more trying situa- tion than he anticipated. Too far from the vessel to catch back upon it, ana not near enough to Jesus to seize hold of him, he thought of the strong wind and the rough sea, and of course was seized with fear and began to sink How many Christians in battling with the winds and waves out upon the sea of life, forget Gods power as T comes through Jesus and sink beneath the waves of destruction and are lost The Christians secret of successful life is to keep his eye on Christ and believe that he is able to save to the uttermost.
 Verse 31. Of little faith. As Jesu. steps forward and catches up the sink ing disciple, he points out to him the immediate cause of his danger. His faith was so weak that danger haC turned it into doubt ''The incident shows that fear is a source of doubt and an enemy of faith; and it illus. trates the fact that those who pos. sessed miraculous gifts could only sue ceed in working miracles when theii faith was in lively exercise" It alsC demonstrates to us the why so many of us fail in our Christian duties.
 Verses 32, 3S. "The wind ceased. : The sudden cession of the wind i'm pressed the disciples as deeply as tn, walking on the water. They gathered around Jesus. and lowing down befor,
 him exclaimed with one voice, "Of truth thou art the Son of God" II the very hour in which Peter was re
 buked for the weakness of his faith tn,
 faith of the whole party gathered nev strength and found a most em
 phatic expression. How curiously tn
 great Teacher was playing on tn
 chords of their hearts, and tuninj , them to the harmonies of heaven. Trust
 In the golden text and our lesso text we have two kinds of trust dis played. One cries out q believe; Lord
 help thou mine unbelief.' He is i earnest and is thinking of his chil therefore he losses himself in tn thought of another and gets from tn Christ what be so much desired Tn other failed because he was thinkin ! wholly of himself and the act he hope to accomplish; he was not making hi I request in behalf of another.
 If we would succeed in our Christia work we must trust Jesus in a things. Just as the little girl did wh asked her father what faith was. He