Storm 2 - Jesus walks on water

We expect our life to be one of comfort. And when the storms come upon us, bringing trouble and heartache, we start wondering why God allows this to happen? 

Storms in our life are opportunities to see the Lord in a new light.     

• The boat, in which Jesus was asleep, was at the point of being swallowed up by the waves. The waves rising in the sea are the daily (struggles/trials) of our life, threatening it with destruction. 
• Jesus could sleep through the storm, for His trust is in God the Father. Jesus is asleep in the boat, but nevertheless Jesus still hears. 

God formed us in His own image and likeness. By the envy of the devil, death entered the world. The devil tries everything he can to destroy humanity. 

Everything that is WRONG-Our thoughts:     

• People want to live lavishly, travel the world and dine in fine restaurants. After work hours people want to go for overnight picnics for the weekend. There is no time for family. There is no time for God. There is nothing wrong in being rich. But the way one lives that is a different thing altogether. To party all the time-that is seriously not right. 
• We have lavish Church’s built in Mangalore. Crores spent on rebuilding Church walls that were already there. All this to suit the rich man’s standard. And the donor names were engraved on marble walls with the amounts besides it.
• We are at war within ourselves. Out of jealousy, envy, we destroyed each other. Turn on the news and you see wars, destruction and people dying either because of hatred or because others are too selfish to help. The devil sows destruction in our hearts.    
• Biological warfare is the use of biological toxins such as bacteria and viruses even insects with the intent to kill humans as an act of war. Millions spend on research and development. Come to think of it, it is the poor countries that often fell prey to such disasters. Could it be that the world considered them not? 
• Countries were making themselves secure, with having the latest technology in warfare. Billions spend on arms-latest gadgets, which cause disruption. The money spend on weapons and waging war could have been used to feed children at risk of dying of hunger or to bring clean water, education and health care to everyone. 
• To space and beyond-the cost again billions.

Syria lost as many as 400,000 people in a war. Most of the people had to flee due to ongoing war.

Famines are the worst, they leave parents feeling helpless, when they are unable to feed their babies. The worst is to watch their baby die in their arms. The snaps clicked, show no empathy towards the helpless parents. 

Sometimes, we can have all the latest technology including artificial intelligence. Maybe in years to come AI will be a whole new chapter. But till then, when it is needed the most, when human life is at stake, nothing makes sense. With all the technology, at our disposal and the money that is in billions-trillion, do you see where i am getting to, we still can't stop a virus. We are helpless. 
We need GOD desperately!

I have mentioned-just a few points, here. This is not what God intended for us. We are meant to love each other as God loves us. We are meant to build one another up. We have failed miserably. The poor are the forgotten ones. Nobody seems to think of them. Nobody wanted them. Their pain always seemed to get worse. And did it bother anyone. NO!

The world has Billions to spend-but we never seem to realize that we are responsible for our fellow human-being. Famines, viruses always seemed to destroy the poor nations, the poor people. People felt sorry, the world helped a bit and then the world moved ahead.

When will we REALIZE?
When we face trials, it seems so much. If we only tried to walk in another man’s shoes. If we only felt his pain? We are lost in the storm of life. We can’t find our way out. 
When we feel abandoned, the feeling of fear over grips us. We rationalize that God will not listen and we see ourselves stuck in the storm. We are exposed to a world of agitation and a lack of Peace. Life gets worrisome. We notice the wicked flourish, we see innocent people suffer and we see the poor, in miserable conditions. We wonder why somethings seem so unfair. We are at unrest within ourselves. 

Now this virus, catches everyone off guard? No distinctions made. We are in the STORM. 
No money, no supreme country power, no position-nothing helps. All the intelligence of the world and yet so many lives lost. 
When we are unable to save a human life, we must come to the realization, that everything we think of ourselves is just futile. The answers are never upto us. 
When we see things go out of control. It is time to go on our knees, it is time to ask for Gods forgiveness, for the number of things we have done wrong. And pray, Save, Lord; we are perishing.      

• At times we wonder is there any justice? And then we are reminded by Luke in chapter 9:23 And he said to all, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. We are not told that life will be a bed of roses. A Rose is beautiful but it has its thorns. We are called to be Christ like. As the followers of Christ, we will have our share of storms, but the beauty is, we will also turn out victorious. Beauty for ashes. We must be like the Rose, which perfumes the hand that crushes it. 
  

• If our faith in Jesus has been laid asleep in our hearts, we need to awaken our faith with the words: “Save, Lord; we are perishing.” When our faith is strongest in Jesus, the storm shall no more trouble our heart, the waves shall not fill our boat. And we will be at Peace even amidst the storm. 

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27.

It is the peace of God that passes all understanding. This kind of peace is not the absence of problems. It is the addition of the power of God in our life.  

There are 2 kinds of storms in life:

Storms we ourselves cause, like Jonah who chose to get himself out of the will of God. That storm that arose, was a correcting storm. 

Storms that come when we are in the will of God that is a perfecting storm. (E.g. below and Matthew 8:22-27)

²² Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ²³ And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ²⁴ but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. ²⁵ And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶ But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out for fear. ²⁷ But immediately he spoke to them, saying, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.”

²⁸ And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water.” ²⁹ He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; ³⁰ but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” ³¹ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “O man of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³ And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:22-33)

Faith grows in time of trials and tribulations. Jesus Himself told the disciples to get into the boat and go to the other side. Jesus knew the storm was coming. Jesus left the crowd of people and went up to the mountain to pray. Jesus interceded for His disciples.

Remember, the apostles/disciples already have an experience of being caught in the storm. Mark (4:35-41). Only difference is at the time, Jesus was with them.  

He saw them in the boat (already a few miles away) being tossed about by the violent waves in the sea. Though some of them were experts at sea, at the given moment, they were struggling and they were in danger of sinking.

Jesus sets out for the boat, walking across the water, with the intention of passing by for He wishes to draw forth strong faith from Peter and the disciples. When they see a figure walking towards them, they are terrified. And when they show themselves fearful the lord says, take courage, it is I, and they recognize the voice, it is the Lord!

On Peters asking, Jesus permits Peter to walk on water? Peter initially begins to walk toward Jesus, but starts to sink out of fear when he sees the waves, and cries out for Jesus to rescue him.

God comes to us with power to sustain us in our storm. Even though Peter began to sink, he didn't drown.

Other than Peter, no one else dared to walk on water. Peter, far from the boat finds himself, facing the strong gusts of wind and the waves. For a spur of that moment, Peter, lost his focus because he feared. But in that fear, He cried out in belief, “Lord, save me.”

The Lord pulls him out and then gently rebukes him.

Faith means keeping the eyes of our heart fixed on the Lord.

The disciples (were in the will of God) they obeyed Jesus.

We need to recognize Jesus, in our storm. In both instances, ‘the storm in the sea’ or ‘Jesus walks on water’ the disciples didn’t recognize Jesus’ presence, they were afraid and hence had no peace.

Jesus said, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.” Matthew 14:27 and Mark 6:50

I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.

When you navigate through the dark waters, Remember the Peace of Christ surpasses all understanding.

Whatever and however be the storm, God will keep His Word and see us through! And when you face those storms, Remember, Remember, Jesus is in your boat! Call on Him!

If you’re struggling: 

• Believe! Invite Jesus into your situation. Leave your worries with Jesus. 
• No matter what you fear, have faith and ask Jesus for help. When we pray, we may not get what we want, BUT we will get what we need.
• ALWAYS Remember to have a heart full of gratitude and look onward with HOPE!
• The true treasures in life–LOVE God and our neighbour!
• Following Jesus faithfully, will lead us into Peace, even in the midst of the storms.

Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

The one who believes, will know peace—his heart and mind are guarded by it.

The peace that passes understanding is a strong, resolute faith that no matter what one encounters, God is faithful! God will keep us, God will provide for us and God will bless us! It’s a faith that looks to God-Who works all things for our good and His glory. 

This is a faith that relies upon God’s unbreakable promises.

The prayer:

“St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defence against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.”

Lord! Deliver us from all evil!

This is my request that if you could, please do continue to read. 

Storm 3 - HolyWeek