The storm raged. A fury of wind and water caught the small boat and crew by surprise. These seasoned and hardened men, accustomed to the sudden storms like this, knew they needed to get to land. They feverisly worked against the wind and waves as the storm wore them down physically and mentally. In the midst of the howling winds, as they wipe water from their brow, they see an apparition in the middle of the sea. “It is a ghost!” Jesus immediately speaks to them offering words of comfort and assurance. After all, it was Jesus who put them in this boat to cross to the other side. No doubt some of these weary disciples were questioning why this miracle worker would send them on a boat alone, only to be tossed to and fro by this sudden and violent storm.
In the midst of this raging storm, impetuous Peter wants proof of Jesus identity. With one word, Jesus gives permission to Peter’s request and transmutes the physical laws of science. “Come” and suddenly Peter is walking on water in the midst of a furious storm. A few glorious seconds of walking on water is eclipsed by a cataclysmic failure of faith. “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matt. 14:22-33)
The issue of faith has been on my mind lately. Like the disciples, it is easy to grow weary in the midst of a storm. It is easy to question the one that put you on the boat, especially when the storm begins to rock the boat and splash stinging waves in your face. You quickly forget the miracles that you have seen as your feet get wet and you grow cold and tired. Just like Peter and his mountain top experience, Monday is coming and the Monday low seems much greater than the Sunday high. I can just hear Peter telling his family, “while walking on water I began to sink”.
Faith, it is everything in the Christian life. “No distrust made him [Abraham] waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why faith was ‘counted to him as righteousness.’” (Rom. 4:20-22) Note a couple key points of this passage:
1) Nothing made him waver from the promises of God.
When God makes promises they will come true.
2) He grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God.
Growing strong in our faith is linked to giving God glory before the promises come to pass.
3) He was fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
Physically it was an impossibility for Sarah to have a baby at age 90. But Abraham was absolutely convinced that God could do what he had promised...even though Abraham could not fathom “how”.
Are you fully convinced that God’s promises will come true? When God says to those that love him, “all things work together for good” do you believe it? It’s easy to say “yes” when you are not in the midst of a storm. It’s easy to give glory when your life is nearly perfect. The real test is during the storm, when nothing makes sense and you can’t possibly see how this could work out for good, getting on your knees to worship.
Do you desire to get out of the boat and walk on water toward Jesus? Then remember Romans 4:20-22 and never ever forget this verse, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
In the midst of this raging storm, impetuous Peter wants proof of Jesus identity. With one word, Jesus gives permission to Peter’s request and transmutes the physical laws of science. “Come” and suddenly Peter is walking on water in the midst of a furious storm. A few glorious seconds of walking on water is eclipsed by a cataclysmic failure of faith. “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matt. 14:22-33)
The issue of faith has been on my mind lately. Like the disciples, it is easy to grow weary in the midst of a storm. It is easy to question the one that put you on the boat, especially when the storm begins to rock the boat and splash stinging waves in your face. You quickly forget the miracles that you have seen as your feet get wet and you grow cold and tired. Just like Peter and his mountain top experience, Monday is coming and the Monday low seems much greater than the Sunday high. I can just hear Peter telling his family, “while walking on water I began to sink”.
Faith, it is everything in the Christian life. “No distrust made him [Abraham] waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why faith was ‘counted to him as righteousness.’” (Rom. 4:20-22) Note a couple key points of this passage:
1) Nothing made him waver from the promises of God.
When God makes promises they will come true.
2) He grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God.
Growing strong in our faith is linked to giving God glory before the promises come to pass.
3) He was fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
Physically it was an impossibility for Sarah to have a baby at age 90. But Abraham was absolutely convinced that God could do what he had promised...even though Abraham could not fathom “how”.
Are you fully convinced that God’s promises will come true? When God says to those that love him, “all things work together for good” do you believe it? It’s easy to say “yes” when you are not in the midst of a storm. It’s easy to give glory when your life is nearly perfect. The real test is during the storm, when nothing makes sense and you can’t possibly see how this could work out for good, getting on your knees to worship.
Do you desire to get out of the boat and walk on water toward Jesus? Then remember Romans 4:20-22 and never ever forget this verse, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
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