Issue #1,140 – Turbulent Waters – April 26, 2023
Kathy and I stood in awe, watching the river pour over the cliff’s edge to crash hundreds of feet below. The noise of the
rushing water echoed off the canyon walls with a sound that was somewhere between artillery fire and a screaming freight train.
At the fall’s base, a vast bowl was being carved and constantly changed by the force of the turbulent water. The water churned and boiled. The water fell and broke into waves, pounding against the rocks and each other with incredible power, splitting apart and sending massive amounts of mist skyward.
Underneath the bedrock was slowly but constantly being carved. The power of the falling water was persistently changing the very contour and fabric of the earth beneath.
Sometimes it feels as if our lives are lived amid turbulent waters. We can be pounded by forces outside our control. The noise of life becomes deafening, and life threatens to erode away our very bedrock. We cry out to wondering where God is in the midst of it all.
Has He forgotten us? Will our very foundation be washed out from under us? How much longer can we stand before we must break?
The LORD has not forgotten or abandoned us. Often times we need to feel like we are drowning before we will cry out to Him. He does allow the erosion of our foundation and things to be washed away, but only the parts not grounded in Him. He keeps the river in its channel and sets the limits of the banks.
The Apostle Peter experienced the turbulent waters firsthand.
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. Matthew 14:22-32
The surprise here isn’t Jesus walking on the water. After all, He is God; the seemingly miraculous to us is child’s play to Him. The surprise isn’t even in Peter walking on water; Peter was simply walking in faith and obedience to the Lord, and miraculous things happen when we do that.
The surprising thing is that Peter didn’t begin sinking like a rock immediately upon stepping out onto the water. He didn’t start to go under until he took his eyes off of Christ.
He indeed began to sink. That is natural; people go under when they try to walk on water … to quickly to do anything about it.
When Peter fixed His eyes and thoughts on Jesus again, Jesus reached out and caught him. The stormy, turbulent waters would not overwhelm Peter; they just caused him to focus back on his deliverer. The storm washed away a foundation of doubt and replaced it with a stronger foundation of faith.
The Lord permits those times of turbulence in life, but He is always in control. He will never leave or forsake His children.
Next time you face turbulent waters and feel about to wash away, remember to look to Jesus and walk on in faith.
Be Blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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