Week of Monday July 21 – July 27
Salute your Superior – Man as Defender
And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” - Mark 4:36-41 ESV
In this amazing account of Jesus calming the stormy wind and sea, it is interesting to note how the disciples’ fear of the turbulent waters was eclipsed by an even greater fear. They realized they were in the presence of One who could command the raging sea with a just a few words. To the disciples, the sea represented something untamable, yet Jesus brought it to a peaceful calm. They began to understand that He was more than just a Galilean rabbi. So, they trembled before Him and said to each other, “Who is this? Who has that kind of power? Who has authority over creation? Who can give a command and have the wind and sea obey?”
In my years of military service to our great nation, I had the privilege of witnessing the greatest military power the modern world has ever seen. Military power so great that entire cities could be laid waste by just a simple order. Weapons so overwhelmingly fierce that they could leave people shocked and awed. However, it is important to remember that all our military’s might is of no good use if not properly deployed, directed with wisdom and for just cause.
As a husband and father, you play a vital role in leading your family under Christ’s guidance. There is a spiritual conflict taking place in our world. The storms of life are raging all around our loved ones, threatening to take them down. God has entrusted us with the responsibility to tap into His strength and wisdom to defend our families. To be effective spiritual defenders, we must be fully equipped and fully engaged with understanding that can only come from a deep and abiding relationship with Jesus Christ. We must bow before Him and obey His commands before we issue our own.
In 2006, Lieutenant Ehren Watada, a U.S. Army officer, faced severe consequences when he refused to obey his orders to deploy to Iraq. He cited legal and moral objections to the war, arguing that the invasion was illegal and that the government was perpetuating war crimes. Watada was court-martialed, but the hearing ended in a mistrial. Ultimately, he was less than honorably discharged.
We men of God have no right to issue orders to those under our spiritual authority if we are not first willing to obey our superior officer, who is Christ. If the wind and waves obeyed Him, what is our excuse? Salute your Superior and carry out His orders, then you can issue your own in alignment with His.
- How would you evaluate yourself when it comes to obeying Christ, your Commanding Officer? Could any of your family members or friends charge that you are a “Do as I say, not as I do” kind of leader?
- How well can you expect to defend your family from the storms of life if you are not obedient to the command of the One who has authority over all?
- Pray and submit yourself afresh to Jesus as Lord and Commander over your life. Ask Him to help you issue your own commands in alignment with His.
Salute your Superior – Man as Defender
And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” - Mark 4:36-41 ESV
In this amazing account of Jesus calming the stormy wind and sea, it is interesting to note how the disciples’ fear of the turbulent waters was eclipsed by an even greater fear. They realized they were in the presence of One who could command the raging sea with a just a few words. To the disciples, the sea represented something untamable, yet Jesus brought it to a peaceful calm. They began to understand that He was more than just a Galilean rabbi. So, they trembled before Him and said to each other, “Who is this? Who has that kind of power? Who has authority over creation? Who can give a command and have the wind and sea obey?”
In my years of military service to our great nation, I had the privilege of witnessing the greatest military power the modern world has ever seen. Military power so great that entire cities could be laid waste by just a simple order. Weapons so overwhelmingly fierce that they could leave people shocked and awed. However, it is important to remember that all our military’s might is of no good use if not properly deployed, directed with wisdom and for just cause.
As a husband and father, you play a vital role in leading your family under Christ’s guidance. There is a spiritual conflict taking place in our world. The storms of life are raging all around our loved ones, threatening to take them down. God has entrusted us with the responsibility to tap into His strength and wisdom to defend our families. To be effective spiritual defenders, we must be fully equipped and fully engaged with understanding that can only come from a deep and abiding relationship with Jesus Christ. We must bow before Him and obey His commands before we issue our own.
In 2006, Lieutenant Ehren Watada, a U.S. Army officer, faced severe consequences when he refused to obey his orders to deploy to Iraq. He cited legal and moral objections to the war, arguing that the invasion was illegal and that the government was perpetuating war crimes. Watada was court-martialed, but the hearing ended in a mistrial. Ultimately, he was less than honorably discharged.
We men of God have no right to issue orders to those under our spiritual authority if we are not first willing to obey our superior officer, who is Christ. If the wind and waves obeyed Him, what is our excuse? Salute your Superior and carry out His orders, then you can issue your own in alignment with His.
- How would you evaluate yourself when it comes to obeying Christ, your Commanding Officer? Could any of your family members or friends charge that you are a “Do as I say, not as I do” kind of leader?
- How well can you expect to defend your family from the storms of life if you are not obedient to the command of the One who has authority over all?
- Pray and submit yourself afresh to Jesus as Lord and Commander over your life. Ask Him to help you issue your own commands in alignment with His.