Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
It's easy to think God is absent or uncaring when all we see are crashing waves. But He is the same, yesterday, today and forever. Present, on time, loving, faithful. Dear one, He did not call you out to drown you. He will come. He will get you to other side. And then...the miracle. Hold on, keep your eyes on Him and wait expectantly.
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”
When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well. Matthew 14:22-36
The focal point of this story is usually Peter walking on water. Which, I will admit, is pretty awesome and worth paying attention to. But there are some incredible truths sandwiching that miracle that we ought to take notice of.
Did anyone notice that Jesus sent his disciples without him into a terrible storm??? We've all been there before, we've heard the voice of the Lord and obeyed, only to find ourselves in the midst of chaos and pain. And we ask ourselves, if He knew there would be a storm why not have them go later or not at all? And why on earth would he not go with them??? It's hard for us to wrap our minds around God sending us into harms way. We don't want to believe that God would put us in a place of trial and affliction. And it's a fine theological line to walk but I think we have proof enough here that there are times that he will in fact send us right into the middle of a storm.
And that truth without the rest of the story would be a tough pill to swallow indeed. But, there's more....
How powerful those words are, "When they had crossed over..." Yes, he sent them into the storm and it was scary and it was difficult and they feared for their lives. But, as he is known to do, he showed up. He delivered them and many more as they reached the other side.
I don't know what stormy sea you might find yourself in the middle of right now but I know one thing for sure, though you may be tossed about and surrounded by fog unable to see, God who sent you there, did not do so with the intention of drowning you.
It will be a difficult journey and just when you want to give up, He'll ask you to trust Him even more and call you out on the waters but, you. will. not. drown.
So when you arrive at Gennesaret, whose original name means "garden of riches" you can expect great things, like the healings of multitudes. As we so often find that our trials are meant not only to birth new life in us but in those around us as well.
I know you can't see him, and are painfully aware that he sent you out BEFORE him into a most difficult circumstance but you can be sure that he will come and that he will deliver you. You can trust him, know that he is good and cling to him. Just as the disciples did, cry out to him and as Peter did, fix your gaze on him.
The focal point of this story is usually Peter walking on water. Which, I will admit, is pretty awesome and worth paying attention to. But there are some incredible truths sandwiching that miracle that we ought to take notice of.
Did anyone notice that Jesus sent his disciples without him into a terrible storm??? We've all been there before, we've heard the voice of the Lord and obeyed, only to find ourselves in the midst of chaos and pain. And we ask ourselves, if He knew there would be a storm why not have them go later or not at all? And why on earth would he not go with them??? It's hard for us to wrap our minds around God sending us into harms way. We don't want to believe that God would put us in a place of trial and affliction. And it's a fine theological line to walk but I think we have proof enough here that there are times that he will in fact send us right into the middle of a storm.
And that truth without the rest of the story would be a tough pill to swallow indeed. But, there's more....
How powerful those words are, "When they had crossed over..." Yes, he sent them into the storm and it was scary and it was difficult and they feared for their lives. But, as he is known to do, he showed up. He delivered them and many more as they reached the other side.
I don't know what stormy sea you might find yourself in the middle of right now but I know one thing for sure, though you may be tossed about and surrounded by fog unable to see, God who sent you there, did not do so with the intention of drowning you.
It will be a difficult journey and just when you want to give up, He'll ask you to trust Him even more and call you out on the waters but, you. will. not. drown.
So when you arrive at Gennesaret, whose original name means "garden of riches" you can expect great things, like the healings of multitudes. As we so often find that our trials are meant not only to birth new life in us but in those around us as well.
I know you can't see him, and are painfully aware that he sent you out BEFORE him into a most difficult circumstance but you can be sure that he will come and that he will deliver you. You can trust him, know that he is good and cling to him. Just as the disciples did, cry out to him and as Peter did, fix your gaze on him.
He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
Psalm 18:19
Psalm 18:19
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