Faith In The Storm by Pastor Juan Rios

 

Faith In The Storm

Matthew 14:22-33 by Pastor Juan Rios

 

True faith is not in the absence of the storm but True Faith is in the middle of the storm!

 

:22-24 “Immediately JESUS made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away He went up onto the mountain by Himself to Pray. Now when evening came He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea tossed by the waves for the wind was contrary.” Storms are a part of Obedience – JESUS sent the disciples into the midst of the storm. Obedience does not exempt us from the storm but the storm is to increase our Faith!

 

:25-27 “Now in the forth watch of the night, JESUS went to them walking on the sea; and when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea they were troubled, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ and they cried out for fear. But immediately JESUS spoke to then, saying, ‘Be of Good Cheer, it is I do not be afraid!’” JESUS sees you and comforts you. JESUS walking on the water saw their struggle (Mark 6:47-52). JESUS walks above the storm and tells us not to be afraid! When emotions take over remember that JESUS is in our storm!

 

:28-29 “Peter answered Him and said, ‘LORD, if it is You, Command me to come to You on the water.’ So JESUS said, ‘Come!’ and when Peter had come down out of the boat he walked on the water to go to JESUS.’” Faith steps out of the boat! Peter says, “LORD, if it is you, command me…”, this is the question we should ask in every situation of our Life! JESUS said, “Come!”  Do not wait for the circumstances to be just right! Peter wants to exercise his Faith but he did not step out until JESUS said to, when JESUS Calls step out in Faith!

 

:30-31 “But when he saw that the wind was boisterous he was afraid and beginning to sink, He cried out saying, ‘LORD Save Me!’ and immediately JESUS reached out his hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of Little Faith why did you doubt?’“ Doubt distracts but Grace Saves! Everyone at some point in our Life have doubted and not stepped out in Obedient Faith! Peter lost his focus on JESUS he focused on his circumstances in the storm and started to sink; he called out to JESUS and JESUS immediately reached out and saved him! Faith does not mean you will not fall but it means you know Who to Call to for Grace!

 

:32-33 “And when they got into the boat the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and Worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly You are The Son of GOD!’” When JESUS entered into the circumstances of the disciples the storm calmed (Matthew 8:23-34) and they recognized Him as LORD and worshipped Him! They moved from fear to Worship! Every storm is an opportunity to see JESUS more clearly and to Worship Him more deeply!

 

In the storm are my eyes on the circumstances or on JESUS The LORD of all creation? JESUS does not Promise us a storm free Life. JESUS does Promise to be with us to lift us up and calm the storm! In the storm JESUS Calls us to step out and then we can call out for Him to Save us if we need to, then we should Worship the One Who brings us through. We know that GOD is in Control so we should be Bold in our Faith!