In the storms of life… remember you have a hope that is an anchor..
Abigail, my middle daughter, recently posted this meme on social media. She has had a bit of a turbulence in the storms of life this year. I have so appreciated her positive outlook in and through it all, made possible 1) because she is just made that way, has been from a 1 lb 3 ounce premature 27 week baby {smallest to ever survive in Iowa at the time}, and 2) mostly because of her steadfast understanding and belief that God is good, He loves her, He is working all things out for the good of those that love Him and are called according to His purpose, and that He is in control even in the storm seems like it will sink you.
I am reminded of the disciples in storms on an angry sea:
[Matthew t 8:23-27 NASB95] 23 When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. 25 And they came to [Him] and woke Him, saying, “Save [us,] Lord; we are perishing!” 26 He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. 27 The men were amazed, and said, “What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”
I love this…. they are following Him right into the boat. They are with Him. A storm arises…. not just a storm…by a GREAT STORM covering he vessel to the point the disciples (followers) are sure they are about to perish in the watery grave. The Lord Jesus….is at peace, in fact sleeping. When awakened by their shouts of “Save us, Lord!… He first tends to the true issue, their fear and unbelief, ” Why are you afraid.. men of little faith” Note that he gently rebukes them a bit in their fear BEFORE He rebukes the storm, and doesn’t just calm the storm; He brings PERFECT calm.
I am convinced the storms are often allowed that we may learn whom perfect calm is in, and with, and learn to rely on Him. Even if our God, sometimes, or even often seems to be asleep, remember the Psalmist assures us that He never slumbers or sleeps.
[Psalm 121:2-4 NASB95] 2 My help [comes] from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, He who keeps Israel (His covenant people) Will neither slumber nor sleep. (I highly recommend reading Psalm 121 often. Perhaps committing it to memory)
[Mark 6:47-52 NASB95] 47 When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. 48 Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them. 49 But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” 51 Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, 52 for they had not gained any insight from the [incident of] the loaves, but their heart was hardened.
Here they aren’t necessarily in a storm…but the winds, the circumstances of life, are contrary and fighting against them. Again, I love that the indication is that His intent was to just pass them by. He was not concerned about them and evidently (knew) thought all would be well and the struggle would be good for and strengthen them in more ways than one. But seeing supernaturally near them…they feared again, in fact were terrified. Sometimes when life is contrary and we struggle, we can see God in it, but instead of seeing Him in it calming us, terrifies us. Again note the possibility that He saw the storm/struggle as an opportunity to learn trusting and relying upon Him. I love that He speaks to their fear and gets into the boat/situation with them . His word came to them first, immediately followed by His presence, and the combination brought calm winds and conditions. This is our Lord Jesus. This is our God. Fear is not our part as believers.
[Matthew 14:25-33 NASB95] 25 And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” 28 Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!”
I am pretty much convinced this may be the same incident we just saw Mark cover. But here Matthew adds the Peter incident. In this case, even though He has spoken that it is He, Peter needs proof. So, he says ” If it is you. Bid or command me to come to you on the water!” I bet Peter thought He would just somehow supernaturally just be floated out over the waves to Jesus. But ,Jesus’ response is one Word. “Come!” Not much encouragement!. At that point Peter had a decision to make. Stay in the boat, or get out on the water, at His command. I am quite sure if he had stuck his toe over the edge of the boat to test it, he would have found it was indeed water. NO, he had to start walking at Jesus’ instruction even in the midst of his fear and doubt. The miracle was not that he walked, because Peter was not handicapped, He could walk. The miracle was that He did not sink into the water! At least not as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus. Note that the scripture says “But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink,” Of course he did not literally see the wind. He took his eyes off the LORD and saw the effects of the wind on the waves and all around him, and his natural senses kicked in with thought and accusation from the enemy something like : “This is water and wind, and I can’t do this.” The result was fear, and Fear Sinks! But, even then, immediately when he calls out Jesus is there and reaches to save. l I believe they walked back to the boat together. And again, Jesus gently rebukes him first about His doubt and then deals with the circumstance of the wind stopping it. Again, the lesson is to strengthen trust and reliance on Him, even in doing supernatural things. Nothing is impossible when responding to His word and being in His presence.
Fear and unbelief come from the natural mind, and reliance on self and are initiated from within our soul (mind, will, and emotion). Faith is not initiated by our soul, but comes by way of His speaking/His word and His revealing Himself in a situation, or having revealed Himself time and time again so that we know His nature and character by His Spirit and trust that His has not changed.
[Psalm 121:1-8 NASB95] 1 A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? 2 My help [comes] from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand. 6 The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. 8 The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever.