Getting Into the Boat!

"Why did you doubt me?" Matthew 14:31

 

I have read this passage several times. What struck me today was that Jesus insisted the disciples go ahead without Him. He wanted them to go into the boat and precede Him to the other side even if He must have known there was a storm brewing that would test their faith. Sure enough, strong head winds made the boat toss and turn like a little toy boat. These hardy men got scared, and all the more when they saw a 'ghost' walking towards them on the water. 

Jesus knows when we are about to get into some strong head winds. Maybe there's going to be a rocky patch at work, or maybe a close relationship will hit a snag. It could be a financial earthquake, or an overwhelming ghost from the past. Whatever it is, the point is, Jesus knows about it. He wants us to go through it. He wants to teach us something, to show us something we wouldn't see otherwise. We just have to get into that boat! Or we wouldn't experience what Jesus can do for us when we cry out to Him in our neediness, in our frustration, when we are at the end of our rope. 

If it's the last thing he does, our enemy wants to keep us from being who God created us to be. He wants us to see ourselves weak, a basket case full of insecurities. He is working hard so that we will doubt the power of God within us and around us, and even the existence of God Himself. I think the reason we have to go through hard times is so we will be compelled to depend on God, to ask Him, like the disciples did, to save us. 

Lord, when I need to get into the boat, help me to continue to trust in You and learn what I need to learn. Let me see Your saving power and never doubt that You will stretch out Your hand, like You did for Peter when he began to sink!