MATTHEW 14:22-33 – “Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 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?” 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.””

THEME OF THE DAY: HE PUTS US IN THE STORM.   The account of Jesus and His disciples, particularly Peter, at sea is familiar and full of instruction. We likely have heard numerous sermons from the text.  The teaching ranges from the fear of circumstances quenching faith to the boldness of Peter to step out of the boat and walk on water to the confession of the disciples of the deity of Christ.  There are more lessons to learn about us and the Lord as we observe the account but one is easy to miss. It is important and applies to us each day of our lives.

Read the opening verse again – immediately He (Jesus) made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side. The disciples didn’t just make a collective decision to go to sea. They were divinely driven to go to sea. Jesus made them go into the boat, and that means He sent the circumstances as they went into the boat.  Stephen Yuille wrote . . .

“Christ “made His disciples get into the boat” (Matthew 14:22). The term “made” merits our attention. This was not a suggestion or invitation. Christ compelled them to get into the boat. He sent them out on the sea. He sent them out into the night. He sent them out toward the storm.”

Here are the steps of application for us.

First, storms (trials) are a significant part of life, especially the Christian life. The Lord does His great work in us often through great suffering, or we may say great storms.

Next, God is sovereign over our lives and that includes the when and how of our trials.  Storms in life don’t just happen. They are sent from God, but remember when He sends a storm, then sends us into the storm, He goes with us in the storm.

Finally, storms are to point us to a greater understanding of who Jesus is – And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”   In the storms of life, we see our weaknesses and need for Jesus.  We also see a clearer and more marvelous picture of our Lord.

God is love. God is also sovereign, and He assures us of both when He sends storms into our lives for His glory and our good!

PRAYER: Father, help me to see that You are sovereign over my life to include the trials in my life.

REFLECTION: Christ never sends a storm or us into a storm without going with us in the storm.