There are many believers today that think that because they are in Christ, they are free from trials and tribulations. Life will always be good. However, there are going to be times when storms will come to us. Some of those storms will be the result of the choices we have made, some of them will come as a result of attacks by others, some will come for reasons we don't understand, but some storms will come because Jesus has sent us into them. Consider our passage today:
"Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowd. After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it." Matthew 14:22-24
The disciples were commanded to get into a boat and go across the lake without the physical presence of Christ. They could not have known that they were being sent into a storm. But, obediently, they did as their Lord commanded. They proceeded across the lake without Jesus. They were probably concerned about leaving Jesus behind, maybe even considering how He was going to come across after them. They had just witnessed Him feed a multitude with only a few fish and some bread, besides the other miracles He had performed. But then to be asked to go across without Him? Many things were probably on their minds.
The next thing that happens, they find themselves in the midst of a powerful storm. They were being tossed to and fro in the tiny boat they must have been in. The boat was being buffeted by the waves. Can we imagine what it must have been like? They were probably frightened, discouraged, disheartened, doubtful, frustrated, many emotions and thoughts running through their minds as they found themselves trying to stay afloat. And, they did not have the physical presence of Jesus. However, look at what our text says, "He went up on a mountainside to pray." Although Jesus was not "physically" with them in that sense, He was "up" praying. We are not told what He was praying for, but He was the one that sent them across the lake. He is the Lord, and He already knew that the storm was coming.
The storms we sometimes face are those storms that God has sent to us. James says, "Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4. Our faith needs to be tested in order that we would grow and mature in our relationship with Jesus. We need to learn to trust Him, even when we do not understand the circumstances we find ourselves in. Jesus sent the disciples into the storm, not to harm or frighten them, but to test them and build them. If we were to read on in Matthew 14, we would find Jesus asking them why they doubted. You see, Jesus was up on a mountain, watching over them, praying for them, just as He is today watching over us and praying for us. The Bible tells us that Jesus is ever making intercession for us.
When we find ourselves in the midst of a storm, the first thing we need to do is pray! God will never tempt us, and He will never test us with evil, but He will allow things to come into our life in order that we would mature and be made complete in Christ, not lacking anything! We need to learn to trust Him in all situations, we need to constantly remind ourselves that God is always in control and His is working all things for our good, even though we might not see it at the time. We need to remember, that even though we might not see Him, Jesus sees us, and is always with us. God is building our faith in order that we would learn to be dependent on Him, and not on ourselves! Storms will come! The next time you find yourself in a storm, no matter what the storm is, trust that God knows, and that He is with you. Ask Him to show you and lead you to that calm on the other side! He always knows what to do.
May God richly bless you today!! H Trent!
"Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowd. After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it." Matthew 14:22-24
The disciples were commanded to get into a boat and go across the lake without the physical presence of Christ. They could not have known that they were being sent into a storm. But, obediently, they did as their Lord commanded. They proceeded across the lake without Jesus. They were probably concerned about leaving Jesus behind, maybe even considering how He was going to come across after them. They had just witnessed Him feed a multitude with only a few fish and some bread, besides the other miracles He had performed. But then to be asked to go across without Him? Many things were probably on their minds.
The next thing that happens, they find themselves in the midst of a powerful storm. They were being tossed to and fro in the tiny boat they must have been in. The boat was being buffeted by the waves. Can we imagine what it must have been like? They were probably frightened, discouraged, disheartened, doubtful, frustrated, many emotions and thoughts running through their minds as they found themselves trying to stay afloat. And, they did not have the physical presence of Jesus. However, look at what our text says, "He went up on a mountainside to pray." Although Jesus was not "physically" with them in that sense, He was "up" praying. We are not told what He was praying for, but He was the one that sent them across the lake. He is the Lord, and He already knew that the storm was coming.
The storms we sometimes face are those storms that God has sent to us. James says, "Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4. Our faith needs to be tested in order that we would grow and mature in our relationship with Jesus. We need to learn to trust Him, even when we do not understand the circumstances we find ourselves in. Jesus sent the disciples into the storm, not to harm or frighten them, but to test them and build them. If we were to read on in Matthew 14, we would find Jesus asking them why they doubted. You see, Jesus was up on a mountain, watching over them, praying for them, just as He is today watching over us and praying for us. The Bible tells us that Jesus is ever making intercession for us.
When we find ourselves in the midst of a storm, the first thing we need to do is pray! God will never tempt us, and He will never test us with evil, but He will allow things to come into our life in order that we would mature and be made complete in Christ, not lacking anything! We need to learn to trust Him in all situations, we need to constantly remind ourselves that God is always in control and His is working all things for our good, even though we might not see it at the time. We need to remember, that even though we might not see Him, Jesus sees us, and is always with us. God is building our faith in order that we would learn to be dependent on Him, and not on ourselves! Storms will come! The next time you find yourself in a storm, no matter what the storm is, trust that God knows, and that He is with you. Ask Him to show you and lead you to that calm on the other side! He always knows what to do.
May God richly bless you today!! H Trent!
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