MARK 6: 48
He Saw Them Toiling in Rowing
Does it not seem marvelous to you that the Master thus concerns himself with our troubles?
The disciples believed they were alone in their fight against the sea; they did not suspect that Jesus watched their journey. Having remained ashore to pray, from the top of a hill he assisted their striving. He weighed their danger, he saw the ineffectiveness of their efforts, the violence of the growing storm, the weakening of their courage and their strength. He knew the moment at which he would have to intervene, he knew that in the fourth watch he would go to them by walking on the water. Wasn't this as though he were with them in the boat? Wasn't this look, which discovered and appreciated their difficulty, as good as deliverance?
The same attentive eye follows you in your troubles also. You hear it said: "God does not concern himself with the world, since he leaves it a prey to such torments." But you know that the Master is near by, that he watches and sees everything. If he does not intervene it is no doubt because he decides that you have not yet struggled hard enough. The fourth watch has not yet sounded; while waiting for it you hold on as best you can.
The disciples did not suspect that the Master saw them. You, however, know it. The Bible is there to assure you that the Father sees you, that from on high he surveys the course and will hasten to you when you can no longer hold the oars.
Courage, then! The higher the waves, the more your boat ships water, the more exhausted you grow, the nearer draws the hour of your relief, when he will appear and restore the sea to calm.
Philippe Vernier