July 26

Next Door Savior by Max Lucado

"Stormy Places" Matthew 14

²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

 ²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

 ²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

 ²⁹ “Come,” he said.

 Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

 ³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.“You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.

The action heats up as we move to the next verses in Matthew 14.  In Sunday School recently, the teacher said that God only performs miracles that are within the boundaries of natural laws.  He was referring to the end of time plagues.  I didn't want to disagree with him, but I have always been taught that a miracle was an act of God that was outside the boundaries of nature with no scientific explanation.  

IMO, verse 25 is a miracle that is outside of the boundaries of natural law, but in verse 32 we find Jesus performing a miracle that has a scientific explanation.  What makes a "miracle" a miracle?  Thoughts? 

Although the scripture doesn't give a time reference for how long the disciples were in the storm, I have a feeling it was quite some time.  They most likely boarded the boat before dark, and Jesus approaches them "shortly before dawn".   God's rescue from problems is not always quick, but it is timely.  If Christ had approached them too soon, perhaps the relief would not have been a great.  If too late, the boat may have capsized.  God's timing is perfect, but when we are in the middle of a storm, it is easy to demand immediate relief.  

Adversity creates strength in Christians if we allow it to, and God knows exactly when we need Him to calm the storm.  Faith allows us to wait on His perfect timing.  Easy to write, hard to put into practice.