Two storms

Matthew 14 tells the story of a storm.  It is the well-known telling of Jesus walking on the water, and Peter attempting to do so as well.

What I find interesting here, is that the disciples were in the perfect will of God and yet experienced this storm:  Let me show you this in two verses:

Firstly in verse 22 we read: “ Then He directed the disciples to get into the boat and go before Him to the other side.”  And then we read in verse 24:  “But the boat was by this time out on the sea, many furlongs distant from the land, beaten and tossed by the waves, for the wind was against them.”

They had heard God speak, and had obeyed Him.  And still, here was the storm!  It was not the same as happened to Jonah.  God sent that storm precisely because Jonah had also heard His voice, but had actively chosen not to obey God.  The storm was meant to force Jonah to get back on track.

Are you finding yourself in the same predicament as the disciples? Are you also finding yourself in a storm, even though you are doing what God told you to do? Then take Romans 5 to heart, my friend!  In verse 4 we read that our sufferings produce fruit, if we allow our attitude about them not to stand in God’s way!  Specifically, our troubles produce firstly endurance – and this test Peter failed when he got into trouble out on the water because he did not endure long enough! 

Secondly, this learning to keep on going produces strong character in that it develops our faith and integrity. Another test the disciples failed that day, because when Jesus came to the rescue, they reacted with terror!

And thirdly this mature character produces a joyful and confidant hope for an eternal view, a heavenly focus, in us.

So assess the storm you are in:  Have you disobeyed God somewhere along the line?  Then repent and accept His forgiveness and ask Him to show you how to navigate out of these circumstances.

If the storm is without a known cause to you:  work on your attitude!  Do not immediately assume God is somehow punishing you….or feel that God is unfair….that you do not deserve this….Romans 5 says you should be joyful in your circumstances, (not because of your circumstances), because soon these beautiful fruit mentioned above will start showing and you will be better off for it!

5 January 2022

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