I'm reading an awesome new book called "When Prayers Seem Unanswered" by S. Michael Wilcox. It's so powerful. In the coming posts I hope to share some of his insights with you, as they have really impacted me. For today I will introduce the theory of The Fourth Watch, through a direct excerpt from S. Michael Wilcox:
I would like to suggest some things that go through my mind in those difficult moments of life. Hopefully they'll be of value to you as they have been to me. They are the letters I peruse from a kind Father in Heaven (the scriptures), who knew beforehand we would face such dilemmas and questions. One of the first of those scriptural letters contains a principle I call 'The Fourth Watch.'
A New Testament day had night watches (guard shifts). For this purpose the night was divided into four watches: The first watch was from six in the evening until nine at night. The second watch was nine until midnight, the third watch from midnight until three in the morning and the fourth watch from three in the morning until six, about sunrise.
The Savior had just fed 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 meantime, 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" (Mark 6:47-48). In Matthew's version it says, "The ship was...tossed with waves (Matthew 14:24), and in John's account we read: "And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs..." (John 6:18-10).
A furlong is about 220 yards, which would make their travel about 65-70 football fields, into the wind during the storm. As would be expected, they are exhausted and fearful. They did not realize that he (the Savior) was aware of their danger. They didn't realize he was up on the hill looking down watching them. They only knew that they had rowed a long time, the wind remaining contrary, that they were exhausted, and that they needed help.
And then we read: "About the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and they saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I, be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased" (Mark 6: 48-51; emphasis added).
I have a feeling that the Apostles, if they could have chosen, would have had the Lord come in an earlier watch. I put it to you, as I frequently put it to myself - when I toil in rowing against the wind, when the sea arises and I'm frightened and it's dark and the storm keeps blowing, and I want help - I want him to come in the first watch. I'm a first watch type of a person. Aren't we all?
But there is also something inside of me that channels my thinking to the realization that it is good to toil in rowing against the wind - that there's something to be gained by exercising spiritual muscles that are stretched in facing trials and opposition. All right, we can accept that. But if he doesn't come in the first watch he certainly ought to come in the second watch. However, it appears that we worship a "fourth-watch" God. And it is important for us to realize that we worship a fourth-watch God.
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's on the hillside watching and he will come. But he generally comes in the fourth watch - after all we can do. (This is a small, easy read... and VERY worth your time).
