FAITH CAPSULE: If Jesus has called you, storm will come.

Matthew 14:22-33
 
In the second encounter with storm, Jesus led His disciples go into the storm. Matthew 14:22, “Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.” Disciples had to go through the storm to get to where Jesus wanted them to be. If Jesus has called you, storm will come. If you have not been in any storm since he has called you, then you have a need to take a stand to build your faith against any raging storm. Jesus did not call any believer to be stagnant in the journey of faith. He wants you to grow, and every growth is accompanied by tests, that add up to be your catalog of testimony. The testing of your faith is always stormy enough to make you but not to unmake you when you stand on your trust in the Lord.
In the second storm encounter, Jesus did not go with the disciples in person but His presence was always with them. It was when the boat got into the middle of sea that the boat began to be tossed by the waves (Matthew 8:24). Where are you in His calling for your life? Are you in the middle of the sea or by the shoreline? It does not matter where you are if you will always remember that when the storm strikes, you look up to Him. In this encounter, Jesus, knowing the level of their faith, showed up at the right time and assured them that even when He was not expected, He will always show up to deliver and preserve us from destruction. Do not mistake Him for a ghost or any other god. It could be that you are at a point where you are about to jump out of the journey–now is not the time to give up. Remember what Jesus has done and all that He is doing. Will you take another gaze upon Him? If you have been following Him, and if He has sent you, He will not fail to show up–He will back you up. Jesus showed up walking on the stormy water towards the boat. Peter, knowing he has followed Him and clearly recognized at that point that he was sent by Jesus, wanted a confirmation from his Savior. Matthew 14:28, “And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”As a result of Jesus’ command, Peter began a walk of miracle over his storm with Jesus beside him. When Peter lost focus on Jesus, fear took over and he began to sink. Peter cried out for help and Jesus stretched out His hand.

Prayer for today: Thank God for His outstretched hand of deliverance and preservation.