Page 27 - Back to Bethlehem

I think when the Bible says, “They are struggling at the
oars,” I think that is more than sore muscles. It’s more than sore
arms. Spiritually speaking, it’s frustrating that you can’t obey
God. They are weary and tired and defeated and maybe they are
even despairing. A Christian attempting to obey God in His own
strength will experience that kind of frustration; defeat and
failure. “I tried and I can’t. I want to obey and I can’t.” Every
command in this book is impossible. “Husbands love your wives
as Christ loved the church.” I say, “I can’t unless I go to Jesus.”
“Rejoice evermore. In everything and for everything give thanks.
Love your enemy. Pray for those who curse you. Go the second
mile. Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.” I say, “I
can’t without Jesus. “Stretch forth your withered hand.” The
man with the withered hand said, “I can’t because it’s withered.”
“Take up your bed and walk.” The crippled man said, “I can’t.
I’m crippled.” “Lazarus, come forth.” Lazarus said, “I can’t.
I’m dead.” With every command we need to keep coming to the
Lord. So, they were struggling at the oars. That’s looking at
Jesus on the mountain while He’s praying.

I told you that the second one was Jesus walking on the
water but it will make more sense to you if I do the third one now.
John 6:20&21, “But He said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’
They were willing therefore to receive Him into the boat; and
immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.”
In John 6:21 they received Him into the boat. Mark 6:51&52,
“And He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and
they were greatly astonished, for they had not gained any insight
from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened.”

I ask my own heart the question I ask you. Which would
you rather have? When I first started to study this, my heart said,
“I want Jesus in the boat. I don’t want Him where I can’t see
Him. I want Him where I can see Him.” This is the exact
opposite of faith. We walk by faith and not by sight. When He
is in the boat we can see Him and touch Him and we can hear
Him. We are together. That is the exact opposite of faith. They
couldn’t have faith while He was in the boat.