About a week ago, our area experienced an earthquake. The sound was eerie and our house shook pretty hard, leaving no doubt as to what was occurring.
It brought to mind the movie “Twister”, an adventure movie from the 1990’s about two storm chasers researching tornadoes.
As the intensity of the storm increased, the two researchers decide to head into the storm rather than avoid it. “Tighten your seat belt. I think we’re going in!” The one line reminded me of another storm.
After a long day of teaching and feeding the crowd, we are told in Matthew 14:22 that:
“Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away.” (NASB)
The disciples were in a boat, far away from land, facing strong winds and fighting heavy waves. And it was all because Jesus had sent them into the storm.
“After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.” (Matthew 14:23, NASB)
Jesus was not in the boat with them but rather, He had gone up into the hills to be alone and pray.
We aren’t privy to the prayers Jesus offered while praying, but I would like to think He was praying for the disciples. Perhaps He prayed for them to be filled with faith. Or to have courage. Or for them to be safe in the storm.
Perhaps He may have even prayed for them to understand
He would be with them in the midst of the storm.
As the winds blew and the waves crashed upon their boat, Jesus came walking on the water towards them.
“But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” (verse 27, NLT)
We often become so fixated on Peter’s desire to walk towards Jesus, we overlook the truth that Jesus had already walked towards him. Jesus had already come to Peter.
We so long for a storm-free life. Yet Jesus tells us, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NASB). But we can be confident that Jesus will be with us in the midst of the storms. Jesus is always there, sitting at the right hand of the Father, praying for us.
“Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.“ (Romans 8:34b, NASB)
May this truth fill your heart and mind with with assurance:
Jesus,
praying and interceding for us.
Jesus,
comes to us in our storms.
Communication can be a tricky thing for often our words can be misunderstood, misconstrued, or misused. My sweet blogging friend, Lois Flowers, brought much wisdom and food for thought in her post, “How to Respond When Our Words are Misunderstood” HERE.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Image by Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay
I do long for a storm-free life, physically and spiritually. But God never promised a life without storms—He promised to be with us in them. What a blessing that He has already come toward us before we step toward Him.
Wow, yes. Jesus had already come to Peter. I love that every time we delve into Scripture, God has yet another truth for us.
Assurance! Yes, that’s exactly what we get when we lean into the awareness of his presence and his good intentions towards us!
Knowing He is interceding for us and never forsakes us but is with us in every storm is such a comfort, Joanne.
Joanne it’s always a comfort to remember Jesus is with us even in the storms!
He walked to them in their storm. What a lovely picture of how He is with us.
He knows before we do and readies everything for us to turn to Him – “I have overcome the world” is one of my favorite scriptures. I think John 16:33 is one of the most perfect One-Two Punch sentences ever written.
I’m so thankful for Jesus’ peace in the presence of every storm.
Thank you, sweet Joanne! I needed to hear this today. The thought of Him coming to US in the storm brings peace to my storm and my heart today!
Amen! He does indeed meet us in the storm often carrying us through it Joanne. 😊
We’ve had a few earthquakes too in the last few months one was 4.7 on the Richter scale 😬
Blessings, Jennifer
Wow, Joanne … that sounds like quite an earthquake! Is that common where you live? I think we experienced one once in Kansas, but it was very slight. I don’t like life storms, but knowing they only happen with God’s permission–and that Jesus is interceding for us through them–does provide comfort in the middle of them. Thank you for sharing my post this week! 🙂
You are right, Joanne! I’ve never really thought about the fact that Jesus walked towards Peter and the boat first… of course, he did! That reality is so assuring, isn’t it?