But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”  Mark 4:38 (NKJV)

I was awake since 1 a.m., up since 3 a.m., reading my Bible, praying all my prayers, yet it was still dark.  I cried out, “I watch for you, Jesus, more than watchmen wait for the morning.  When will You come to answer my prayers? How long until soon?”  

Remembering the missionary pastor who visited our church, I cried “Wake-up, Jesus!” Pastor Samuel said we need to wake up Jesus in our churches.  He is sleeping in the stern of the boat.  “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” I cried again (Mark 4:38).

Do You not care my pains are extra sharp this morning?  Do You not care we are still homeless over a year after leaving our moldy home?  Do You not care that we spend all this time in Your Word and prayer and seek You with all our hearts and live for You each day?  Wake up, Jesus!   

Don’t you care what is going on in our nation and world?  They are fighting your dear land of Israel!  Evil people are trying to end our elections in America. They are still trying to kill people with vaccines.  “Awake! Why do You sleep, O Lord? Arise! Do not cast us off forever” (Psalm 44:23).

…Awake to help me, and behold!
You therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel,
Awake to punish all the nations;
Do not be merciful to any wicked transgressors… Psalm 59:4-5 (NKJV)

Babies are still dying everyday from abortion, families are falling apart, schools are teaching evil subjects.  Innocent people are being trafficked. Churches are going against Your Word.  Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, And do not be still, O God!  (Psalm 83:1)

I cry again, “Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!  (Psalm 80:1) Awake, awake, put on strength,
O arm of the Lord! Awake as in the ancient days,In the generations of old. Are You not the arm that cut Rahab apart, And wounded the serpent?  (Isaiah 51:9)

Then I decree, it will be like in Isaiah 33 and Psalm 78:  Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, Like a mighty man who shouts because of wine  (Psalm 78:65).  “Now I will rise,” says the Lord; “Now I will be exalted, Now I will lift Myself up (Isaiah 33:10).

Amen and Amen!  Let it be so!  Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Wake up Jesus with your prayers! Read the story of Jesus asleep on the boat in Mark 4:35-41 and Psalm 107:23-32. Claim God’s promise in Psalm 121:4 that He will never sleep again.  

Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.  Psalm 121:4 (NKJV)

P.S. Dear one, God who created the sea can calm any storm on it.  And God who created you and me can calm any storm in our lives, too.  

The Lord on high is mightier
Than the noise of many waters,
Than the mighty waves of the sea.  Psalm 93:4 (NKJV)

The sea is His, for He made it;
And His hands formed the dry land.  Psalm 95:5 (NKJV)

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
Let the sea roar, and all its fullness.  Psalm 96:11 (NKJV)

I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.  Psalm 4:8 (NKJV)

When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.  Proverbs 3:24 (NKJV)

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.