MATTHEW 14:22-27 – 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.”

THEME OF THE DAY: TRIALS COME FROM THE LORD.  When a difficult trial comes upon us, are we quick to acknowledge it is from the Lord?  Or are we quicker to complain, maybe even act surprised this difficulty just “popped into” our lives?  If the latter is true of us, let the Apostle Peter provide some “spiritual calibration” – Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you (1 Peter 4:12).

Trials are part of the Christian life. Trials are inevitable.  Trials hurt. And trials come from the Lord.  Yes, He sent them. And that for His purposes, His glory, and our good.  In today’s scripture, we find the Lord doing three things concerning trial.

First, He sends the disciples into the boat and out to sea – Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat. What does this teach us?  The Lord is sovereign not only in the affairs of the world, but in the direction of our lives.  The Lord prepares His disciples for trial.  And He does the same for us so live prepared.

Next, the Lord starts the trial for His people. The storm starts, the winds blow, and the wave height increases – but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.  It has been said, “We are either in a trial, coming out of a trail, or preparing for a trial” and that is to be our mindset each day.  Being armed with this reality will help us gain the right perspective on life and trials.

Finally, the Lord will come to us in our trials to teach us and mature our faith – 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.”  The Lord shows up at just the right time. His time. And the disciples would learn a most valuable lesson – trust Jesus regardless of the weather, regardless of the circumstances, and regardless of the length or intensity of a trial.  Jesus will be there. He will calm our fears, and we will know Him in ways we did not before the trial; a trial that was sent by Him.

PRAYER: “Father, help me see trials don’t just happen, they are sent.”

QUOTE: “Trials are sent by God, for His glory, and our good.”

In the affection of Christ Jesus,

Pastor Jim