Storm-Walking with Jesus!

Storm-Walking with Jesus

Acknowledging Christ’s Presence during our storms inspires us frighten storm-tossed Believers to cast away the chains of despair, intimidation, paralysis, procrastination, and defeat to envision a life liberated by spiraling faith into amazing triumph!

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 (Matt. 14:22-33).

Violent storms on the Sea of Galilee were notorious in our Lord’s time as they are now. A deep depression surrounded by high hills, the Sea of Galilee is shaped like a basin half-filled with water. Strong winds funneling into this basin clashing with rising warm air produces sudden furious squalls.

During such a storm, the sea itself would be whipped into a chaotic frenzy. Experienced fishermen, the disciples recognized the danger they were in as volleys of waves flooded the boat. Disaster seemed inevitable…darkness loomed ominously…all hope of survival dissipated as the disciples grappled with an ever increasing tempest. Would they finally succumb? The drenched and beleaguered disciples were in a frightful panic when Jesus appeared walking on the storm.

Actually there is an alternative to fearful responses in the storms. Though we instinctively react in fear, we can learn to respond with soaring confidence in our Lord Jesus Christ. Acknowledging Christ’s Presence inspires us frighten storm-tossed Believers to cast away the chains of despair, intimidation, paralysis, procrastination, and defeat to envision a life inflamed with spiraling faith and triumph! Faith is a choice to persist in concert with God, in harmony with truth, and refusing to believe our senses more than we believe God’s statements in His Word. It is choosing to abandon a life defined by reluctance, doubts, human strength, inactivity, false securities, and absolute debilitating boredom! Faith in Christ frees us from the storms that hold us captive. Such confidence in our Lord touches His heart, honors Him as Almighty Creator God, and pleases Him immeasurably. And what are the characteristics of such storm-walking faith? It is faith that overcomes fears, obeys Christ’s commands, attempts the impossible, and experiences Christ’s great enabling power to triumph! Freedom, peace, assurance, confidence, courage, and progress mark such Believers. This is God’s desire for each of us, not merely a select few Christian experts or specialists who pretend to be hyper-unique ones. In this incident, the disciples recognized the Presence of Jesus and this reality transported them from fear to faith.  Are you relying on the Presence of Jesus, the mighty Storm-Walker in your storm? Has the honest recognition of His Presence transformed your fears to faith?

How can we become Storm-Walking Christians? Dynamic and triumphant faith recognizes the Presence and power of Christ, even in the storms. Recognizing the Lord’s Presence in the Storm will inspire faith, generate security, embolden the timid to attempt the impossible, and avail Christ’s power to triumph over the frightening storms of life. It is experiencing the freedom and peace our Lord promised! Fear, intimidation, mediocrity, pain, and frustration have stolen many believers desire to live the faith life. Hardness has resigned them to the dull ‘boat life’ of just surviving. Though they are storm tossed, thrashed, and often overwhelmed, they have come to believe the defeated life is normal. They have lost their sense of spiritual adventure and their dreams of winning over life’s challenges have faded into oblivion. They have failed to realize that acknowledging Christ’s Presence in the storm is the difference between discouragement and dynamic living. What do you fear? Is it yourself...failure…success…sacrifice… pain…the unknown…making mistakes…what people may say or think? Beloved, recognize that you are not alone, God has not abandoned you, the Lord Jesus can see YOU in this storm as well as any storm. The question is, have you recognized by faith that Christ Jesus is with you? To become “Storm-Walking Christians” we must recognize His Presence, Hear His Command, Attempt the Impossible, and Experience His Power (Matt. 14:22-33). This is precisely what Peter experienced. Yes, he failed by taking his eyes off the Lord Jesus, and by paying too much attention to the storm. He is also the only Person in history to ever walk on water besides the Lord Jesus. In addition, after he sunk and the Lord rescued him, Peter walked on water again to return to the boat! I am among those who salute Peter’s confidence in Jesus Christ! Such soaring faith transformed him into a Water-Walking Believer; actually he was a Storm-Walking Believer!

Christ will help us grow and even transform us also through the storms. We cannot become storm-walking Christians by correspondence; you must feel the power of the storm to experience the power of the mighty Christ! This was the whole purpose of the storm, to inspire the disciple’s faith. After all, Jesus would one day leave them, and they would face many storms in their lives and ministries. They had to learn to trust Him even though He was not physically present with them, and even though it appeared as though He did not care. The same is true for you and me, Beloved.

Jesus came with unexpected help and encouragement during the disciples’ time of desperate need. Their need was real; their fears were real. But in the presence of Jesus, fear must give way to faith. It was R. A. Torrey, who rightly observed, “The first result of walking with God is great joy, abounding joy, and secondly, a great sense of security, of abiding peace.” And so it is for us today as well. 

When Jesus arrived, He made a huge difference! Because of our Lord—all He taught, all He did—our lives are different now! You and I are not alone.  We have a heavenly Father, a living Savior, and a great Comforter. All the problems that beset you and me are now theirs as well. So, instead of telling God how big your problem is, tell your problems how big your God is! In the face of every challenge, every heartbreak, every troubling diagnosis . . . recognize Christ’s Presence, here His command, attempt the impossible, and experience His power! Peter did, so why not you and me?