Our Savior in the Storm

“But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 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. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid’” (Matthew 14:24-27, NKJV).

The disciples were suddenly overwhelmed. They probably said in fear, “This is the work of Satan. The devil is out to kill us because of all those miracles we’ve had a part in. Where did we go wrong? God is mad at somebody on this boat!” Another could have asked, “Why us? We’re doing what he said to do. We’re obedient. Why this storm?”

In their darkest hour, “Jesus went to them” (Matthew 14:25).

How difficult it must have been for Jesus to wait on the edge of the storm, loving them so much, wanting so much to keep them from getting hurt, yearning after them as a father for his children in trouble. However, Jesus knew they could never fully know or trust him until the storm’s full fury was upon them. He would reveal himself only when they had reached the limit of their faith. The boat would not have gone down, but their fear would have drowned them more quickly than the waves beating on the ship. The fear of drowning was from despair, not water.

“And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’” (Matthew 14:26). They did not recognize Jesus in that storm. They saw a ghost, an apparition. The thought of Jesus being so near and part of what they were going through did not even enter their minds.

Beloved, the danger we all face is not being able to see Jesus in our troubles. In that very peak moment of fear, when the night is the blackest, the storm is the angriest, the winds are the loudest, and the hopelessness so overwhelming, Jesus always draws near to us to reveal himself as Lord. He is our Savior in the storm!