Peace in the Storm

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.” (Matthew 14:22-33 ESV)

As I’ve been praying for two special people who are going through a lot of difficult struggles right now, the Lord led me to this story in Matthew. The part that seemed to be grabbing my attention was when Jesus called to Peter to come to him on the water. What did that have to do with my prayers? So I re-read the passage and waited for the Spirit to open my mind to what he was trying to tell me.

Jesus calls Peter to come, he gets out of the boat and walks on the water until he lets his fear of the wind take over. The text says the he didn’t see the wind while he was looking at Jesus. How did Peter not see the wind? Why mention he didn’t see the wind, anyway? You can’t see wind, only the effects of it and the waves were fierce! How could he not notice that? He must have been so completely focused on Jesus that he didn’t even notice that storm. It was still raging when he climbed out of that boat because Jesus didn’t calm the storm until later. (He had already demonstrated his authority over creation by walking on the water; calming the storm was secondary.) The men were afraid – terrified – of the storm. They’d battled it for 9 long hours with all their strength. In an instant Jesus did what they were incapable of doing. While the storm was raging, Peter looked on Jesus and wasn’t afraid. He “mastered” the storm by focusing completely – single-mindedly – on Peace in the person of Jesus.

What must it have been like for Peter to climb out of that boat that was being tossed around by those waves? Who in their right mind would do that? Look at the choices Peter was faced with: stay in the boat and keep on fighting the storm for another 9 hours; or, look at Jesus who wasn’t the least bit bothered by the storm. He was in complete control. Jesus was safe, the boat wasn’t.

How often we stay in our storm-tossed boat struggling with every ounce of our strength. We think we have no other choice but to put our heads down and keep fighting. All the disciples, with all their combined strength couldn’t make any headway. Do you ever feel that way? Keep striving. Keep fighting. You’re exhausted. The storm is winning. Then, you look up and there is Jesus, inviting you to “come”. Get out of that boat. Look upon your Savior.

In this instance the storm wasn’t calmed until after the men responded to Jesus. Is it because it sometimes takes a lot to get our attention? Do we have to wear ourselves out before we recognize the better way? The Way?

Sometimes Jesus calms us in the midst of a raging storm with his peace that truly passes all understanding. Other times he speaks to the storms in our lives and says, “Peace. Be still.” In his infinite and perfect wisdom, the Lord works out his purposes in our life. He teaches us what faith is, what trust is and what salvation is.

When Peter returned to his fearful place, back in that poor storm-beaten boat, Jesus was with him. With Jesus in the boat, the winds ceased.

Allow Jesus to walk with you in the dark places, the frightening, stressful places that are draining your strength. Look into the eyes of your Savior. Keep looking. Don’t look at the storm. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Hear his words: “Have courage. I AM. Fear not.”

Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.  (Zechariah 4:6 ESV)