For Their Heart Was Hardened (Mark 6:50-52)

Have you ever had a problem that whenever you thought of it, your heart just quivered inside?   You may have tried to push the thought of it away, but in no time you were thinking about it again and again your heart again trembled.  The disciples experienced that same type of fear in their hearts as they saw The Lord walking on the sea.  The scriptures describe their hearts as if it were boiling water.  From that definition, we can see that trembling fear over took them.

When The Lord said, "Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid" and then entered the ship, the disciples were dumbfounded.  The Bible says that the reason for this was because their hearts were hardened.  When did they become hard and how did it happen with just a short time earlier they saw the great miracle of the feeding of the five thousand?  Their hearts must have become hard while in the midst of being alone on the sea and battling the storm.  As the battle raged and fearful thoughts entered their minds, their hearts became hardened: maybe to the point of faulting or accusing God.

Have you ever been there?  Whether you accused God or not, we all have experienced situations that have gripped our hearts with fear.  The way to keep from failing God by developing a hard heart is to remember the miracles that he has already done in your life.  The disciples' hearts were hard because they considered not the miracle of the loaves or they did not put together (consider) the past miracle with the current trial.  

When trouble comes, look back at what God has done in your life.  Remember the answered prayers.  Remember the sweet times of fellowship that you have had.  Remember the strength that he has provided to you as you walked through troubled valleys.  If you don't, you will forget his goodness, you will focus on the trial and your heart will become hard and with each time that the fear returns, your heart will become even more hard.

Father, my heart is afraid.  These circumstances are greater than me and I need your help.  I know that you are good and that as part of your plan to strengthen me and to enable me to see your greatness, you have allowed this trial to occur.  Thank you for being good to me.  I remember the times that you have helped me in the past and I am always amazed by your deliverance.  Thank you, God, for loving and caring for me.