23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straight-way Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. Matthew 14:23-27
Have you been in a storm that terrifies you? Is it a storm that seems to have no end insight? Have you worried or even doubted because God hasn't intervened yet?
Let me say, "You are in good company!" While I know that isn't a great comfort, it is true. If we look at the storm the disciples faced, we will find that they to faced fear, worry and doubt.
The following is what the disciples saw in their storm, and begs the question, "What do we see in our storms?:
In verse 24, We can see the them in the ship, while the storm was pitching, the waves were heaving and the wind was quite unnatural and unruly. Now nothing about them had changed, it was the circumstances around them that made them very afraid, nervous and uncomfortable.
Notice: Nothing had changed about the disciples, they were not harmed and they still were in fellowship with one another. It was the circumstances around them that were out of order and raging. They still retained the ability and the choice to trust the Lord. These were men who saw the miracles of Jesus! So, why all this worry, doubt and fear?
Sound familiar? Why is it always easier to see the circumstances we are in, rather than our Lord Jesus? Why do we concentrate more on what is happening or what might happen, instead of spending those times on our knees in prayer or in worship?
In verse 25, We see that, Jesus was coming to them, however, they could not see past the "unnatural" manner in which, Jesus was quietly approaching them. Jesus was walking to them, on the stormy seas.
Notice: Now, this verse is exciting! Jesus, was coming and He was nearby. And yet, because they could not recognize the specific way Jesus chose to enter their circumstances, they failed to see Him! He was there, Jesus was present, He could calm their fears and yet they missed out, simply because it was not how they expected Him to come.
Sound familiar? I wonder how many times we miss out on being calm and assured, just because the Lord is answering our prayers in a different manner, then what we expected!
In verse 26, We see their worries, their doubts and their fears, all because they did not recognize Jesus.
Notice: The disciples very own worries, doubts and fears, distorted and deceived them. They missed Jesus altogether and instead they saw a ghost, and this just made them, all the more afraid! The disciples created even more fear for themselves!
Sound familiar? How many times have we made things worse? How many times have we deceived ourselves, simply because of our own worries and fears?
Finally, in verse 27, We see that Jesus realized their apprehensions and quickly spoke to calm them, "Be of good cheer, it is I; be not afraid.
Notice: Jesus never fed into the disciple's fears, instead the first thing Jesus says is, "Be of good cheer." He is telling them to have joy, be happy. Then Jesus declares that it is He, who is coming to them and He tells them not to be afraid! Jesus tells them, that in the midst of the storm, they can have joy! They can rely on Him and they need not fear!
Sound familiar? Only... if you are in constant conversation with the Lord! We are to pray without ceasing. And, In everything we are always to give thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 18
So, we are not to concentrate on our circumstances. We are not to
determine how the Lord will answer our prayers! We are not to make things worse or deceive ourselves, by talking or brooding about the situation. Finally, we are to pray and give thanks!
I believe, this is what Jesus is saying to each of us today! He is asking us to come to Him always, and with everything. He wants us to leave our worries, our doubts and our fears behind! And, Jesus comes ready to bless us, to heal us and to bring each of us good news!
When we realize and understand that God is in complete control, we have resolved half the battle!
Have you been in a storm that terrifies you? Is it a storm that seems to have no end insight? Have you worried or even doubted because God hasn't intervened yet?
Let me say, "You are in good company!" While I know that isn't a great comfort, it is true. If we look at the storm the disciples faced, we will find that they to faced fear, worry and doubt.
The following is what the disciples saw in their storm, and begs the question, "What do we see in our storms?:
In verse 24, We can see the them in the ship, while the storm was pitching, the waves were heaving and the wind was quite unnatural and unruly. Now nothing about them had changed, it was the circumstances around them that made them very afraid, nervous and uncomfortable.
Notice: Nothing had changed about the disciples, they were not harmed and they still were in fellowship with one another. It was the circumstances around them that were out of order and raging. They still retained the ability and the choice to trust the Lord. These were men who saw the miracles of Jesus! So, why all this worry, doubt and fear?
Sound familiar? Why is it always easier to see the circumstances we are in, rather than our Lord Jesus? Why do we concentrate more on what is happening or what might happen, instead of spending those times on our knees in prayer or in worship?
In verse 25, We see that, Jesus was coming to them, however, they could not see past the "unnatural" manner in which, Jesus was quietly approaching them. Jesus was walking to them, on the stormy seas.
Notice: Now, this verse is exciting! Jesus, was coming and He was nearby. And yet, because they could not recognize the specific way Jesus chose to enter their circumstances, they failed to see Him! He was there, Jesus was present, He could calm their fears and yet they missed out, simply because it was not how they expected Him to come.
Sound familiar? I wonder how many times we miss out on being calm and assured, just because the Lord is answering our prayers in a different manner, then what we expected!
In verse 26, We see their worries, their doubts and their fears, all because they did not recognize Jesus.
Notice: The disciples very own worries, doubts and fears, distorted and deceived them. They missed Jesus altogether and instead they saw a ghost, and this just made them, all the more afraid! The disciples created even more fear for themselves!
Sound familiar? How many times have we made things worse? How many times have we deceived ourselves, simply because of our own worries and fears?
Finally, in verse 27, We see that Jesus realized their apprehensions and quickly spoke to calm them, "Be of good cheer, it is I; be not afraid.
Notice: Jesus never fed into the disciple's fears, instead the first thing Jesus says is, "Be of good cheer." He is telling them to have joy, be happy. Then Jesus declares that it is He, who is coming to them and He tells them not to be afraid! Jesus tells them, that in the midst of the storm, they can have joy! They can rely on Him and they need not fear!
Sound familiar? Only... if you are in constant conversation with the Lord! We are to pray without ceasing. And, In everything we are always to give thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 18
So, we are not to concentrate on our circumstances. We are not to
determine how the Lord will answer our prayers! We are not to make things worse or deceive ourselves, by talking or brooding about the situation. Finally, we are to pray and give thanks!
I believe, this is what Jesus is saying to each of us today! He is asking us to come to Him always, and with everything. He wants us to leave our worries, our doubts and our fears behind! And, Jesus comes ready to bless us, to heal us and to bring each of us good news!
When we realize and understand that God is in complete control, we have resolved half the battle!
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