Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/405

 that we  perish?"  (Matt.  viii.  25.)  Such  ought  to  be  our filial  confidence  in  God  during  the  hour  of  trial;  we ought  to  say  with  David,  "  Arise,  why  sleepest  Thou,  O Lord;  arise,  and  cast  us  not  off  to  the  end."  (Ps.  xliii. 23.)  When  Christ  was  awakened,  He  reprehends  His disciples  for  their  want  of  faith  in  Him.  Examine  if  you have  not  given  Him  equal  reason  for  reprehension.

III. " Then  rising  up,  Christ  commanded  the  winds and  the  sea;  and  there  came  a  great  calm." (Matt. viii. 26.)  Thus,  God's  dominion  extends  over  all  creatures, and even  irrational  nature  obeys  Him. Man alone  is  refractory and  disobedient  to  His  commands,  and  obstinately deaf  to  His  counsels. Reflect, that  you  among others have  acted  in  this  manner;  resolve  to  correct  your conduct, "and  to-day,  if  you  should  hear  His  voice, harden  not  your  hearts." (Ps. xciv.  9.)

I. "  Forthwith,  Jesus  obliged  His  disciples,  to  get  up into  the  ship,  and  to  go  before  Him  over  the  water;  He went  up  into  a  mountain  alone  to  pray." (Matt. xiv.  22.) Another tempest  arose,  "and  the  ship  in  the  midst  of  the sea  was  tossed  with  the  waves,  and  they  labored  in  rowing." (Mark vi.  48.)  Thus,  as  long  as  we  exist  in  this world we  are  repeatedly  exposed  to  temptations,  which we must  not  neglect,  but  use  all  our  endeavors  to  overcome, by  having  recourse  to  the  spiritual  arms  of  prayer and recollection. At last  Christ  came  to  His  disciples, walking over  the  sea,  to  convince  them  of  His  power. He is  always  at  hand  to  assist  us,  and  to  perform  the