05/16/2020
In the chaotic moments of life do we panic, or do we begin leaning on our faith for God‘s miraculous rescue and relief? In those times that are so dire, out of the ordinary, and perhaps cause us to experience great fear, do we attempt to save ourselves, run away, or do we call out for Jesus? The truth is... When we find ourselves in those dark times and we are struggling, or shaking in fear, we typically do one of three things, we either look inward for our own solution, give up, or lean on our faith, but sometimes the situation is more complicated than we realize, and we do all three!
“The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened.”
John 6:18-19 ESV
In this bible story the disciples were traveling by boat to Capernaum, and Jesus was not with them; He had sent them ahead, and told them He would meet them there. As they rowed across the sea a strong wind came up, and a dark and chaotic moment came upon them, but there is no mention of them panicking, or even praying, they just kept rowing and leaning on their own skills to survive. What ultimately frightened them wasn’t the wind and waves, it was Jesus Himself. Seeing Him walking on the water scared them! Despite the wind and the rough sea they were continuing on towards Capernaum, and in fact Jesus wasn’t coming to rescue them... He intended to walk right by them and go on to Capernaum on foot. His lesson appears at this point to be that they would see Him walking on water... it wasn’t a miraculous rescue.
“And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them,”
Mark 6:48 ESV
So this is a complicated story... we have a sudden wind, the rough sea, Jesus walking on the water, the disciples being frightened by what they thought was a ghost, and then Peter calling out to Jesus and getting out of the boat to presumably walk on to Capernaum with Him. Peter then walks on water, sinks due to a lack of faith, is lifted back up, and walks on the water back to the boat with Jesus where they both get into it, then, Jesus calms the wind and sea.
“And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?””
Matthew 14:28-31 ESV
Wow... there is a great deal going on here, but in the end we finally get a glimpse of the real reason this all happened... you see, during the miracle of the loaves, the disciples had been doubting that God would provide, and that he would perform a miracle. Let’s go back to that moment and listen in...
“And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened?”
Mark 8:17 ESV
So at the end of this story of wind, waves, and miracles, we finally get the true meaning... don’t approach God in doubt, and with a hard heart. Let’s go back to the boat and listen to what ultimately happens there...
“for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.”
Mark 6:50-52 ESV
Hardened hearts... The disciples had doubted during the miracle of the loaves, they had been leaning on their own physical skills as they rowed on against the wind, and they had even seen Jesus walk on water with Peter, but finally when Jesus calmed the wind and waves they got the picture!!! How much evidence does it take before we finally admit that God will provide, rescue, heal, and perform other miracles in our lives?
“And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.””
Matthew 14:32-33 ESV
Were they really that dense, and that hard hearted, or were they actually any less faithful than we find ourselves too be from time to time? What does it take before we believe that God is with us, and that a miracle has occurred? Are we just as hard of heart?
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5 ESV
A loved one is brought from the brink of death during our prayers, and yet we reason that it was the medicine. A swimmer is swept away by a strong current and we call out to Jesus for their rescue, but when they grab hold of a log and are pulled from the water we call it good fortune. Our house is destroyed by a tornado as we huddle in a tiny closet crying, and praying; then when the wind subsides, and we open the door to find our closet is the only thing untouched, we call it unexplainable, or an oddity of the storm. Yes we are no different than the disciples, and just as prone to look inward, and reason using worldly wisdom, during our dark times of fear and chaos. To defeat this let God teach you to circumcise your heart...
“Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn. For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.”
Deuteronomy 10:16-17 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for always being at my side, and providing sustenance, rescue, healing, and all the good things that come from your love for me. I thank you for your Son Jesus who walks with me on the water, and goes to no end to save me, and deliver me, as a righteous soul, into your presence. Teach me Holy Father to expect your intercession in my life, and to look only to you during the dark moments the world attempts to snare me with. Strengthen my faith Father, and encourage me to fear not in the face of my enemies, for you go before me, and await me at the end of days. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who is forever the keeper of my heart, and faithful to your promises. Praised be your name in the fear filled moments of worldly chaos, when I lean on you, and fear nothing. Great are you in the face of all my enemies, and certain is your provision as I endure hunger or thirst. I worship you Father in the sanctuary, and I worship you in the prisons of my life. No matter where I am you are with me, and no matter whether I face my death, or some catastrophe, you are there with me, and your Son Jesus abides within me. I lift up my voice to you in song, and bathe myself in the fragrant waters of your mercy and grace to wash away all doubt from my heart. Hear my prayers from wherever I am, and whisper your comforting Word into my ear. I will listen for your voice now, and forevermore Lord. I kneel humbly, with a circumcised heart, confident in the redeeming blood of Christ before you, and offer myself prostrate before your throne.
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.”
Ezekiel 36:26-27 ESV
Rich Forbes