"And When"

 "And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, and entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them." (John 6:16-17 KJV)

  "Some went off to sea in ships, plying the trade routes of the world. They, too, observed the LORD'S power in action, his impressive works on the deepest seas. He spoke, and the winds rose, stirring up the waves. Their ships were tossed to the heavens and plunged again to the depths; the sailors cringed in terror. They reeled and staggered like drunkards and were at their wits' end. "LORD, help!" they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress." (Psalm 107:23-28 NLT)

 I just love John's expression of timing; how he will use terms like, After this, And then, And when; such a simple way to open up into a brand new adventure in following Jesus! We must understand that Jesus had set them up; which is, in his modest kind of way, how John expresses his insight into what Jesus did and why He did it. 

 In other words, Jesus had left them alone to venture off on their own; only to remind them how much they needed Him! I'm not saying that Jesus caused the sea to get tossed and the wind to blow; but there is no doubt that Jesus knew already what was going to happen. If the weatherman can predict the weather, don't you think the Creator of the weather, can determine what the weather will do? 

 Jesus did not show up, so that they might see what they needed to see! It is not something unusual for the life of a believer; it pretty much happens all the time; we just don't consider it being His doing, but our own; or worst yet, we blame it on the devil. If you don't yet know what I am saying, it involves the act of venturing off on our own, or stepping out on our own, because we are not hearing what to do.

 Sometimes, we might hear something, but think the Lord is speaking, and it might be our own desire. Sometimes, it might be the devil speaking, whispering in our ear, something that is seemingly right, but will usually have a wicked twist. The thing that is most important to understand, is that God's word, will never be used against His word. 

 So what are we meant to do? Wait! Yes, it is such a simple lesson, to just wait on the Lord! Even when we feel it is time to move, if the Lord is not there moving you, wait! If you are being told to move, yet what you are being told to do goes against the word of God, really wait, all the more! If you still don't know what to do, wait on the Lord!

 I know it might seem stupid, as if God won't bless us moving out on our own; because He does and will do things to correct our mistakes. But, those things we do on our own, will usually result in some sort of storm or misfortune; something we might regret, but nonetheless, something that will be a lesson to us, while giving God the glory. 

 Now, if you want to imagine how this played out: Jesus was up in mountain playing a waiting game with His disciples. Seeing that they were running out of daylight, the disciples would rather be at sea, in that they could see better at sea, when it is dark. So, Jesus waits; and as they venture off into the dark, He ventures down from the mountain to catch up with them, in their soon to be peril. 

 And when, whenever, we venture off on our own, we really are never alone! Just a little observation of my own, Not!!! I am pretty sure that John is trying to tell us that this is how it works: Jesus is always there, even when we think He is not, He never leaves us unattended...  

"The godly will see these things and be glad, while the wicked are struck silent. Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the LORD." (Psalm 107:42-43 NLT)