An Unsinkable Boat

Bible Reading: James 5:13-15

Gavin walked to the end of the dock and sat down. He let his bare feet touch the water and stared off into the distance.

“Whatcha doing?” Dad asked, sitting down next to Gavin.

“Just thinking about things.” Gavin swirled his feet around in the water.

“Anything you want to talk about?” asked Dad.

Gavin was silent for a moment. “You know my friend Aiden who came over last week?”

Dad nodded. Gavin gently kicked at the water, causing it to splash slightly. “Aiden just found out he has cancer.”

“I am so sorry to hear that,” Dad said. “We will have to add Aiden to our prayer list.”

Gavin pulled his feet out of the water and hugged his legs to his chest. “Dad, if God loves us, why does He allow bad things to happen? Why should we even pray for Aiden if God allowed him to be sick?”

Dad was silent for a moment before he spoke. “God loves each of us very much, but that doesn’t mean we won’t face problems. It just means we won’t face them alone. Our world is broken by sin, but Jesus is with us.”

Dad paused and looked out over the lake. “Do you see those two people fishing out there in that rowboat?” Gavin nodded. “That boat is like Jesus,” Dad said. “Those two fishers are still going to experience things of nature—wind, rain, and everything else. But as long as their boat is intact, they won’t sink, no matter what happens. It’s the same with us. We all face problems in life, but because our faith is in Jesus, we are never alone, and we will always have hope because He has promised us eternal life with Him. Jesus’s love is like an unsinkable boat. He holds us even in sickness and death.”

Gavin sighed. “I just feel so bad for Aiden.”

Dad nodded. “I know it’s hard to see Aiden go through this, but you can help him by praying for him and reminding him that Jesus loves him and knows what he’s going through. Talk with Jesus about it, and trust Him to help you be there for Aiden.”

For a few moments, Gavin silently watched the rowboat. Then he asked, “Dad, can we pray for Aiden now?”

-Melissa Yeagle

How About You?

Do you pray for friends and loved ones who are sick? Are you going through a hard time yourself? As Christians, we can take our concerns to Jesus. His love for us is like a boat that can never sink. Though we live in a broken world, we have hope because Jesus has rescued us from sin and death and is working to make all things new. In the meantime, we can pray, knowing He is always by our side and comforts those who are hurting.

Today’s Key Verse:
Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life…shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Jesus’s love will never fail