Sunday Thoughts

We had the most amazing talk given by our Stake President in Ward Conference this past week.  He took his talk from Matthew Chapter 14:25

"And in the fourth watch of the night"  The Jews, as well as the Romans, usually divided the night into four watches of three hours each.  The first watch began at 6 pm, the second at 9 pm, the third at midnight and the fourth at 3 am to 6 am.

There are many references to the Fourth watch time.  The Fourth Watch is the Red Sea parted and the children of Israel were delivered from their enemies and captivity and into freedom.  The fourth watch Jesus calmed the storm and also walked on the water.  The fourth watch, Jesus was being pressed in the Garden of Gethsemane and took on the cup of our sin.  The Fourth Watch is when the stone rolled away from the tomb and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  

Our stake president goes on to tell of the Savior feeding the five thousand.  He instructed his disciples to get into a boat and pick him up later, after he had dismissed the multitude and later spent some solitude in prayer.  The disciples obeyed.  It was late afternoon or early evening when they got into the ship and pushed out into the Sea of Galilee.  Jesus sent the multitude home and then turned to communion with his Father.  He prayed into the evening and long into the night.  

In the mean time, a storm had swept down on the disciples in their voyage: "And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.  And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them.

Then we read:  "About the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea."

I have a feeling that the Apostles, if they could have chosen, would have had the Lord come in an earlier watch.  Don't we all want help when troubles arise in our lives?  Wouldn't we like the Savior's help to come in the first watch?  But we all know that it is good to toil in rowing against the wind.  

It appears that we worship a "fourth watch" God.  We could pray that we know God is a fourth watch God and that I'm a first watch person.  Could we compromise and you came at the end of the second watch?  But, it is good that he doesn't,

The stake president concluded:  "When you feel somewhat desperate, when it seems like your prayers aren't answered and the winds still blow, take comfort in the knowledge that he is on the hillside watching.  Remember, you might not know that he's watching as you struggle in the boat, but he is on the hillside watching, and he will come.  But, he generally comes in the fourth watch - after we've done all we can do."

I love this gospel and I love my Savior and I will be forever grateful with the knowledge that he is on the hillside watching and that he will come.