Milton is making a run for Florida this week. This is coming quickly after Helene impacted the Southeast. Another kind of storm is approaching with a divisive presidential election where everyone will have to tread troubled waters of some kind.
How are you preparing yourself? Are you following the crowd or are you standing up for truth?
A familiar story in the Bible is quite applicable in these wicked days that we find ourselves in. Peter stepping out of the boat and walking on the water towards Jesus during a storm can be found in Matthew 14:22-36. We can learn what not do when the waves of uncertainty are coming upon us.
Trouble brewed for the disciples. A strong wind had risen and the men had to fight the heavy waves; see verse 24. Little did they realize, Jesus was already near them walking on the water!
Do you realize that in every situation you face, big or small, Jesus is always with you?
Jesus knew that they were in over their heads with this battle, so He speaks to them, “Don’t be afraid. Take courage, I am here!”27 Peter revealed the reality of every one of our hearts, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Daily, you and I need reassurance that God is really with us, don’t we?
And every day we find out that He is 🙂
This reality check propelled Peter to see for Himself that the ghostly figure upon the water was really Jesus. When you face an uncertainty, do you seek Jesus like Peter did? Peter obeyed the voice and he stepped out of the boat. His first few steps were successful until he made an easy mistake that we all battle. He observed what was around him rather than who was in front of him. He chose to believe the storm swirling around him over Jesus. When he did that, fear set in.
Fear magnified the situation, minimizing Jesus. Peter allowed himself to be overcome by the situation he found himself in rather keeping his eyes on Jesus and trusting that Jesus would take care of the situation. And Peter sank into the stormy sea. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
Our faithful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ came through for Peter, and He will come through for you and me. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed Peter. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt Me?”31 Do you see the wonderful truth behind Jesus’ words? Jesus says these words to you and I as well when we take our eyes of off Him. “Why do you believe against Me, (add your name)?” Isn’t our flesh always battling the truths of God?
God allows for much treading upon stormy seas. Why, you may ask? So God can show you how amazing His grace and glory are as you learn to depend on Christ and trust Him more and more. He desires for you to get to a place in your faith where you look to Him first and not your circumstances.
After this experience, Peter climbed back in the boat with Jesus. Notice how the disciples responded, “You really are the Son of God!”33 This is God’s aim at allowing you to face hardships. He loves when His children see Him for who He really is and they come to trust and obey Him!
Milton is giving me some “Peter” attitudes. My daughter lives in Orlando. I am in Minnesota. She is going to hunker down at my friend’s house rather than weathering the storm in her third floor apartment. My anxiety has me running to God’s Word where God speaks to my quivering faith. Speaking truth over what I can’t control helps me to refocus myself back to basic truths like: My daughter belongs to God and He has a plan for her. “Let her go, Carol. I have her.” “I have your friend, Kris too.”
You can trust Me with all that is important to you. I know what I am doing for I am the Sovereign God!
It is good to remember that God is in the salvation working business. He uses all things, good and bad, to bring about redemption in people. So, when stormy seas are upon you, know that God is there leading you through them to a much stronger, more resilient faith.
Carol J German 