HOW TO HANDLE FRUSTRATING
CIRCUMSTANCES - Part V
As twelve disciples were dispatched
by their Lord from one shore to another, Peter had no way of knowing that
before this night ended he would literally go where no man had gone before. While twelve boat-boys huddled helplessly in
desperation and fear, wild waves, deep waters and deadly winds dashed against
their vessel, threatening to overwhelm and sink them. Peter had no clue that in just a few moments
HE WOULD BE WALKING OUTSIDE THE BOAT…confronting and conquering crazy
circumstances…literally striding along on top of terrible waves! Isn’t it just like GOD to transform times of
anxiety and anguish into opportunities to demonstrate that HIS POWER ON DISPLAY
IN US? What an awesome God! I say it often: God is always up to something
behind the scenes!
Let’s reread a pertinent portion of
the scriptural passage for this devotional series:
Matthew 14:25-32
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go
to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith,
wherefore didst thou doubt?
32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go
to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith,
wherefore didst thou doubt?
32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
We are somewhat prone to criticize
Peter for failure to sustain his miraculous water walk. My response to the critics is simply this: Who
among us can testify personally to walking on water like Peter? To be candid, most of us (myself included)
would never have requested an exit out of that boat – especially in light of
the horrifying sea experiences those disciples were navigating in complete
darkness. And a careful reading of this
passage informs us that the storm was not abated until AFTER Peter and Jesus entered
into the boat together. Think about
it. Peter had such great faith, that he
volunteered to head out INTO THE STORM in order to be in close proximity to
Jesus! Wow! Skeptics suggest that Peter was only able to
do this because JESUS was there. My response to every shore-hugging skeptic
comes in the form of two key questions: (1) Whenever you and I are HESITANT or
REFUSE to launch out into the deep and fulfill our purpose and destiny, isn’t GOD THERE? (2) And any time you and I garner sufficient
faith to move ahead and launch out, isn’t
GOD THERE? That’s why we call Him
Jehovah-Shammah, because “THE
LORD IS THERE!” (Ezekiel 48:35)
Nevertheless, most of us gaze LONG
AND HARD at the water BEFORE we get out of the boat, and many of us fail to
ever disembark. In other words, we
become psychologically and spiritually frozen – trapped in the paralysis of analysis
– STUCK IN PLACE for days or decades. May
I make a suggestion to ALL OF US, myself included? What we really need is A NEW ATTITUDE! Don’t judge me for highlighting a secular
song here, but years ago I listened to Patti LaBelle singing about a new
attitude. The lyrics went something like
this: “I’m feeling good from my head to my shoes. I know where I’m going and I know what to do.
I’ve tidied up my point of view. I’ve got a new attitude!” Finishing with her unique flair, Pattie
crooned “OO-OO-OO-OO…I’VE GOT A NEW ATTITUDE!”
Sisters and brothers, I dare you to
STEP OUT OF YOUR BOAT at the command of the Lord! If you should somehow falter along the way,
JEHOVAH SHAMMAH IS THERE for a rapid rescue; you only need to CALL HIS NAME! The Word reveals that when Jesus and Peter finally
came into the ship, the wind ceased. I
dare you to invite JESUS onboard; conditions will instantaneously change! In the presence of His demonstrated power
over their storm, the twelve disciples gathered around to worship the Son of
the Living God. And with JESUS on board,
they sailed forward with strength, security, stability and success.
This scripture passage ends with a
simple status report: “And when they were gone over, they came unto the land of
GENNESARET.” That name literally means
“a garden of riches.” Jesus knew the
character and content of the place He had dispatched them to, but He also knew
that their faith would be enhanced by encountering challenges along the way. GENNESARET was a divine appointment awaiting
fulfillment. Wherever God guides, God
provides. So if JESUS ever sends you
anywhere…JUST GO because HE has great
expectations THERE for your service and your security. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward
you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
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