Jesus hears amidst the storm
I've never been on rough seas.
In my limited experience boating (I've only been on a boat three times in my life, and one was a "glass-bottom" boat to see dolphins), I've never experienced rough waters. I've never sailed during a storm or tried to ride out the waves.
So I have little personal experience to draw on in the story of Peter walking on the water in Matthew 14. Being a bit of a weather geek, I know the worst part of any tropical storm is the water. In fact, most of the damage from hurricanes occurs because of tidal flooding or storm surges. Katrina's destructive power came from the flooding of New Orleans, not the winds. Hurricane Andrew devastated the Miami area, with most damage occurring because of flooding.
As the hurricane churns the water, the waves become increasingly higher, causing high waves of water to slam into shore when the storm makes landfall. It causes beach erosion and destroys structures located on the beach. I'm sure, like me, you've seen videos of homes being washed out to sea.
Place that image in your head as your picture Peter stepping out of the boat and walking on water. The winds are raging and the sea is churning. Waves buffet the boat. Rain pelts the deck and the disciples. It's a scary moment to say the least.
Yet, Jesus bids Peter to come and he does. And for a brief moment he does what no one else has ever done - he walked on water.
Being a fisherman, he knew how dangerous the situation had become. He saw the waves; he heard (and felt) the wind. Once he realized what the situation was, he lost sight of Jesus and began to sink. In that moment, his fear overwhelmed his faith.
That happens to us a lot in life. We let our fears overwhelm our faith and we take our eye off of Jesus. We start to look around at our problems, our sickness, our lack of income, and our failures and it starts to drown us.
Thanks God Jesus always hears our calls for help.
The wind howled. The water turned violently. Rain beat against the boat. Yet, when Peter cried out for help, Jesus heard over the raging storm. He reached down and saved Peter from a watery grave.
Jesus always hears our call for help, no matter how weak it may be. Jesus not only hears, but he responds.
Wherever you may be in life - whatever situation you feel is helpless - know that Jesus can hear your call for help. He alone has the power to save you.
In my limited experience boating (I've only been on a boat three times in my life, and one was a "glass-bottom" boat to see dolphins), I've never experienced rough waters. I've never sailed during a storm or tried to ride out the waves.
So I have little personal experience to draw on in the story of Peter walking on the water in Matthew 14. Being a bit of a weather geek, I know the worst part of any tropical storm is the water. In fact, most of the damage from hurricanes occurs because of tidal flooding or storm surges. Katrina's destructive power came from the flooding of New Orleans, not the winds. Hurricane Andrew devastated the Miami area, with most damage occurring because of flooding.
As the hurricane churns the water, the waves become increasingly higher, causing high waves of water to slam into shore when the storm makes landfall. It causes beach erosion and destroys structures located on the beach. I'm sure, like me, you've seen videos of homes being washed out to sea.
Place that image in your head as your picture Peter stepping out of the boat and walking on water. The winds are raging and the sea is churning. Waves buffet the boat. Rain pelts the deck and the disciples. It's a scary moment to say the least.
Yet, Jesus bids Peter to come and he does. And for a brief moment he does what no one else has ever done - he walked on water.
Being a fisherman, he knew how dangerous the situation had become. He saw the waves; he heard (and felt) the wind. Once he realized what the situation was, he lost sight of Jesus and began to sink. In that moment, his fear overwhelmed his faith.
That happens to us a lot in life. We let our fears overwhelm our faith and we take our eye off of Jesus. We start to look around at our problems, our sickness, our lack of income, and our failures and it starts to drown us.
Thanks God Jesus always hears our calls for help.
The wind howled. The water turned violently. Rain beat against the boat. Yet, when Peter cried out for help, Jesus heard over the raging storm. He reached down and saved Peter from a watery grave.
Jesus always hears our call for help, no matter how weak it may be. Jesus not only hears, but he responds.
Wherever you may be in life - whatever situation you feel is helpless - know that Jesus can hear your call for help. He alone has the power to save you.
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