Why the Storm? – Part 2

Matthew 14:22-34
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. 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. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, it is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped Him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.

What looked like their last boat trip became the perfect storm for these disciples. How is that? Because when the disciples saw the Lord walking on the water on the water; there came a great revelation.
Yes… a revelation in the midst of the storm.

Peter had a thought, an impulse. It didn’t come from his common sense. It didn’t come from his logical reasoning. It must have come from an invitation by the Spirit of God. He blurted out… “Lord, if that is You out there… let me walk with You.” Peter asked for an invitation to become like he had never been before. He asked for an invitation to participate in something he had never done before.

Peter had seen the sick healed, the lame walk, withered limbs healed, 5,000 fed with five loaves and two fish, etc. He had seen Jesus calm a raging storm and save lives. But now; he is in another storm with wind howling and waves crashing.

Jesus responds, “come.” Peter walked on the water. He walked with Jesus on the water… through the wind and on the waves. This storm, for Peter, turned into a revelation and an experience like never before.

So, you may be in a storm right now. The winds of circumstances are contrary. The waves of adverse situations are crashing in on you. The circumstances are making things dark and your belief is that bad is going to get worse. Fear is trying to sink your faith. Your future seems uncertain. But… Jesus said, “be of good cheer… don’t be afraid … I am here”.

Child of God; hold on to your faith! Remember, it was Jesus Who told you to get in the boat. You are going where Jesus told you to go. He will keep you through the storm. Circumstances are what they are for a purpose. The darkness has a purpose. The winds and waves are for a purpose. Trouble has a purpose. Struggles have a purpose. In the storm is an opportunity to receive a greater revelation of Who Jesus is and what Jesus is doing in your life.

The purpose of the storm is so we will recognize our potential to step out and experience some spiritual happenings that we’ve never experienced before. In our storms we will discover a deeper dimension of faith that gives us the opportunity to walk with Jesus in supernatural encounters.

Why the storm? In the midst of our storm is when we find the power to tread on the adverse circumstances and situations that we find ourselves in.

Jesus shows up in our storm:
1- that we will know that His promise remains, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. What I have begun in you… I will finish. I am your Keeper.”

2 – that we will know that He will be with us through the uncertainties that we encounter

3 – to reveal Himself to us in a way never known to us.

“Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”

D L Rogers