Divine Abdication

“And immediately He made the disciples get into the boat, and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And after He had sent the multitudes away, He went up to the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. But the boat was already many stadia away from the land, bettered by the waves; for the wind was contrary.

“And in the fourth watch of night He came to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were frightened, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.’

“And Peter answered Him and said, ‘Lord if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ And He said, ‘Come!’ And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

“But seeing the wind, he became afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’” Matthew 14:22-31

“Perhaps we do not realise the problem, so to call it, of enabling finite free wills to co-exist with Omnipotence. It seems to involve at every moment almost a sort of ‘divine abdication’.” – C. S. Lewis *

Jesus friend had been killed and He delayed His grieving to feed 5,000 who clamoured for His attention and teaching. Then He needed space. Yet His disciples were in trouble. When He came to them, they doubted. Peter doubted and asked for proof. Proof was not enough as Peter took His eyes off Jesus to focus on the circumstances. Yet Jesus saved Peter and the other disciples despite their doubt. I wonder how Jesus felt.

Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New Request: Fred, my life mentor, hospital tests. Casey with hugs life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling with a rare & related condition (paraneoplastic syndrome). Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow & for Lyle who may be a match. Adrian for loss of a special friend.

Praise: Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Thanks to all who prayed faithfully. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer

Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.

Continue to pray for: Tim & Barb (need work & encouragement as they wait); Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Rape victim, hit & run victim; Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).

*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey