Daily Devotions
August 11th, 2011 by Pastor SolleyMatt 14:22-33
And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 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 straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
Why would Jesus constrain the disciples to get into the ship and go before Him to the other side? Jesus knew a storm was coming, new they would be in danger, knew they would be afraid. So why would He allow them to go into the storm? My friends the storms of life are going to come upon us all. No matter that we know Jesus Christ, no matter that we are serving Him, no matter that we are seeing success and blessings in the work. Those things were true of the disciples at that time. They had given their lives over to the Lord, they were serving Him, and Jesus had just fed the 5,000, they were seeing success. Even those things will not prevent the storms of life. Jesus in part wanted them to know that there will be storms in the lives of even believers serving the Lord. We must never forget that even though we love and serve Him we still have an enemy in this world. Satan hates Jesus and thus hates the redeemed. But even in the storms of life our Lord is never far away.