Issue 1498 – Turbulent – July 12, 2024
Kathy and I stood in awe and watched the river pound over the falls to a drop hundreds of feet below. The rushing water hitting the bottom echoed off the canyon walls like a cross between artillery fire and a freight train. Over time, the force of the water carved a massive bowl beneath the falls.
Later, looking at the falls from below, we could see how strong the turbulence truly was. The water churned and boiled. The waves pounded against each other with incredible force, only to split apart, sending vast amounts of spray into the air. Underneath the water, the bedrock was being slowly ground into a bigger bowl.
Sometimes, it seems our lives are lived in turbulent waters. We are pounded by forces outside our control. The noise of life becomes deafening, and life threatens to erode away our very bedrock. We cry out, wondering where God is in the midst of it all. Has He forgotten us? Will our very foundation be washed out from under us?
He has not forsaken us. Often, we need to feel like we are drowning before we cry out to God. He does allow some erosion of our foundations, but only those parts that are not based on Him. He holds the river inside its banks. The Apostle Peter experienced the turbulent waters firsthand.
Immediately, he [that is, Jesus]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 miracle is not Jesus walking on water; after all, He is God. The miracle is not even Peter walking on the water; after all, He was following Christ in faith, and miracles happen when we do that.
The most surprising part of this miracle is that Peter did not sink like a rock when He took His eyes off Christ. He began to sink, but when you think about it, people do not start to sink when they try to walk on water—they sink too quickly to do anything about it.
When Peter fixed his eyes on Jesus again, Jesus reached out and caught him. Despite all that was happening, Peter was in no danger of drowning. The turbulent waters of the storm would not overwhelm Him. They simply focused Him back on the one who would deliver Him. The storm undermined a foundation of doubt and replaced it with faith.
Until next time, when you face turbulent waters, 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)
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV)