Living 4 Him

“It’s all right,” he said.  “I am here.  Don’t be afraid.” Matthew 14:27
New Living Translation published 1996-2004

A very familiar story precedes the verse quoted above.  The disciples have gone on their own in a boat and find themselves in the grip of a ferocious storm.  Suddenly a figure appears walking on top of the water, sending the disciples deeper into their frenzy.  Then the voice speaks, “It’s all right.  I am here.”  And the peace of their Master takes over. 

Many translations of this story give Jesus’ response as “Take courage” or “Do not be afraid.”   A few months ago, I read this story in my favorite Bible (a New Living Translation published in 2003) and the words “It’s all right” stuck out to me in a new and unique way.  IT’S ALL RIGHT! These words give us an important reason to take courage and to not be afraid.  With God, all is right.  All that happens is always right because God’s wisdom, God’s power, and God’s presence have control.

The New Living Translation was born through The Living Bible, a readable, understandable translation written by Kenneth Taylor and published in 1971.  The Living Bible resembled a paraphrase of the Bible and a team of biblical scholars felt the need for a translation that would focus the meaning of the scriptures along with valued words and phrases intact.  Therefore, the New Living Translation, the work of 90 biblical scholars, was published in 1996.  A newer version, published in 2004, is what we read today on-line or in Bibles currently published. 

As I researched other translations, I discovered that my 2003 edition of the New Living Translation was the only one to use the phrase, “It’s all right.” This phrase needs a second look to absorb the powerful meaning in our lives.  The word “alright” has come to mean that something is okay or acceptable.  But I believe that when Jesus enters the picture the situation becomes more than okay or acceptable.  It become right, the way God intended it, working for God’s good and God’s glory. 

Let’s consider . . .

Joseph: His story, told in Genesis, contains betrayal by his brothers who sold him into slavery, yet eventually he became a governor, able to feed his starving family and forgive their past deeds.  All was right.

Daniel: Daniel was held in captivity in Babylon, but because of his steadfast loyalty to God, he interpreted dreams and was appointed ruler over the province of Babylon. All was right.  Even as ruler he was persecuted for his belief in God and thrown into a den full of lions, but all was right.  He was kept safe in the lion’s den and God received recognition for this feat.  All was right. 

Jesus: Jesus was betrayed, arrested, abandoned by his disciples, and crucified in agony upon a cross, yet his suffering opened the way for all of God’s children to receive forgiveness.  All was right. His lifeless body laid in a tomb, then resurrected to distribute hope and eternal life for all.  All was right. 

When we consider God’s perspective in each of these situations, we know that through out-of-sync situations and suffering, God maintains the upper hand and brings light out of darkness.  As children of God we are held in his loving wisdom and it’s all right.  We are not his puppets, but his partners, working for his kingdom of peace, love, hope and joy.  With this perspective, we can accept daily drudgery and know that “God is working all things for good” (Romans 8:28)  When loss or grief or confusion or frustration enters our lives, we can partner with God to bear the burden, trusting that in God’s tender mercy, it will be all right. 

Just like a starfish that grows a new arm after injury or attack has taken the old one, we too, can regenerate in the power of the Holy Spirit because it’s all right.   

In his book Loved by God, R.C. Sproul says: “God always does what’s right because that’s all He is able to do.  He can only do what’s right because in His being he is altogether righteous.”

Whatever you encounter this week or have encountered in the past, take courage, do not be afraid . . . .take a deep breath and rejoice, It’s all right!

Reaching in (allowing God’s Word to work in your soul): The story referenced today comes from Matthew 14.  Read the events that lead up to this situation at the end of the chapter.  What thoughts or understandings rise out of this chapter?

Reaching out (taking God’s Word into the world):  What storms are swirling around you?  Take time to sit in peace and let Jesus’ words wash over you. “It’s all right.  I am here.”