FEAR THAT RAIDS
Matthew 14:22-33

“Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.” (Matthew 14:22) The disciples needed to get to the other side where Jesus wanted them to be. Jesus knew what it would take to get to the other side and what the other side had to offer for the disciples in order for them to continue in following Him. Jesus could not have been unaware of the storm ahead when He made them to go on before Him. In sending the disciples, the multitudes were not allowed. Whatever represents “multitude” in your life can trigger delay or hindrance in getting to the other side where He wants you to be. Did He call and send you? Are you in any storm yet? If you are not yet in the storm, the storm will come. It came for the ones that He made to go before Him. The storm that went for the disciples was not in the beginning of the journey, but rather in the middle of the sea. The only way of escape while in the middle of the sea and storm is in the hand of Jesus. “Now in the fourth 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.” (Matthew 14:25-26) Jesus did not delay in His response to their cry. “But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.’” (Matthew 14:27) Jesus’ response was a sigh of relief that prompted Peter’s request for the permission to join Jesus in walking on the water. Operating faith and fear simultaneously is not a possibility. Jesus, having just showed up and letting them know that He was with them, was enough to terminate any fear or doubt. When we ignore His presence and make a choice to be afraid, we are consciously or unconsciously telling Him that we do not acknowledge His presence. Peter, while seeing Jesus walking towards him, decided to look into the challenges of the storm. “But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’”(Matthew 14:30) Peter operated in doubt. He was faulted with fear and right there, he withdrew himself from the presence of God. With fear, faith withdrew and Peter began to sink. He did not send them through the storm to sink them but rather to strengthen them. Do not be afraid in your storm. Faithful is He who called us and He will see us through.

Prayer for today: O Lord my God and my Father have mercy and let Your enabling Spirit allow faith to become a manifestation in my life.