Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – December 1, 2020
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
Years ago, my friend Kirsten felt God was sending her to join the staff of a fledgling ministry with her husband, Aaron. Joining this new organization would mean they would need to pack their possessions, sell most of their belongings, and move far across the country. Kirsten and Aaron prayed diligently about the decision and knew the Lord was telling them to go. So, they gave up everything to glorify Him and they went.
When they arrived at their new post ready to serve with Christ, it didn’t take long before they felt very disillusioned. They hadn’t been given the full picture about the organization. They felt lied to and there was dissension amongst the staff. It wasn’t at all what they expected. Sadly, just a few short months after they arrived, they were forced to leave. Kirsten’s heart was broken. They were certain God was calling them to go. She wondered how they could have missed His direction and she doubted His faithfulness. Had He even called them at all?
I wonder if this is how the disciples felt just after watching Jesus perform the miracle of feeding the 5,000 in Matthew 14. He immediately told them to get into the boat and go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee while he dismissed the crowds. He sent them. They obeyed.
Then, while Jesus was alone praying, the wind started howling and their boat started rocking. They were afraid and cried out. They’d been struggling for a long time, battered by the wind and waves before Jesus finally showed up to rescue them in the early hours of the morning. Finally, when He got into the boat with them, the winds ceased (Matthew 14:32).
“Then they cried out, “Truly, you are the Son of God!”
Between the time Jesus sent them to cross the Sea of Galilee, and the time He arrived to save them, did they wonder if he had forgotten them? Did they get angry that He had sent them? Did they doubt His faithfulness?
There are times like this in all of our lives. We are certain God is sending us into a particular task, mission, relationship, or endeavor. But then trouble comes. The wind starts howling and our boat starts rocking. The storm rages and we wonder if we missed it. If He did send us, why would He send us into the middle of a storm? It’s during these times that we must remember that when we are in a storm, we can be right in the middle of God’s will. And, Jesus wants to get in the boat with us to prove His faithfulness, just like He did for the disciples.
The storm is the exact thing He uses to reveal His goodness and love. Through it, we often see His power in greater ways. Are you in a storm right now? Have you gotten in a boat God was calling you to? Did he send you into a marriage, a job, a cross-country move? Did He call you to pack up your belongings to serve a ministry and now things are looking bleak?
Trust him. He is in the boat with you. Remember. . . sometimes when you’re in the storm, you’re right in the center of God’s will.
Prayer
Lord, help me to remember that just because times are difficult and just because my boat is being battered by the waves that you have not abandoned me. Instead, you seek to reveal your love and faithfulness to me in greater ways. Amen.
Application
Tell the Lord that you trust Him today, then look for His hand at work to rescue and sustain you.
Related Reading
John 14:27; Psalm 9:9-10; Psalm 23:4
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