Eighty-nine Nine

Psalm 89:9 (NASB) 

You rule the swelling of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them.

Psalm 89:9 (cpd*) 

When the waves of life mount up with madness and chaos...

    You, O God of heaven and earth, who created the waters with the greatness of Your voice,

    You, O God, who has power, dominion and authority over the swelling pride and boastful arrogance of all that pretends to be mighty; 

    You, O God, with Your loud voice of authority (as the conquerer who booms out a victory cry with a dreadful shout) demand the tumult to stop its churning and fury and bluster. 

...You alone, O God, cause the swirling currents to relax, to rest, to be at peace.

*my own paraphrase

Teach me

Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray....” Luke 11:1 (NLT) 

I am not aware of other times recorded in the Gospels when the disciples actually asked Jesus to teach them something. They were obviously eager to learn. They followed Jesus, observed him in action, asked questions to understand better. But this time, as they watched him pray, they were moved to ask him to teach them.

Likewise, even as I follow Christ, as I watch his grace expressed around me, and as I study his word to know him better, I stay keenly aware that, "we do not know how to pray as we should" (Romans 8:26 NASB) and I find myself asking anew, "Lord, teach me to pray."

Auto-pilot world

Mark 4:35-41

We know the story. The disciples are in the boat, manning the sail. Jesus is in the boat, taking a nap. The disciples are seasoned fishermen, skilled in navigating the waters, the winds, the weather.  They are in their element, doing what they do best. Working within their strengths. Self-reliant. Self-assured. Self-sufficient.

And then, in the midst of their auto-pilot world, everything goes horribly wrong. All their experience isn't enough. All their knowledge isn't enough. All their self-confidence isn't enough. In the midst of what they have always done well, they need Jesus.

See also: A Lesson #5