Matthew 14:22

New King James Version

Immediately Jesus [a]made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.

For Meditation

 The storms of life are some of the best life-teaching settings with our Lord Jesus. He sends us into them, knowing the severity and danger they pose to our life – that He will build our faith in Him.

It is just after the Feeding of Five Thousand, and Jesus sends the disciples in a boat to go ahead of Him to the other side as He dismisses the crowd (Matthew 14:22). He knows they will come against the fury of the waves and the winds in the middle of the night, yet He sends them by themselves. It was training time.

The training grounds of God always have settings to test the endurance of His disciples, reveal His glory, and strengthen their faith. There, the boisterous nature of the lake fits as a teacher of some life-transforming lessons to the twelve.

First, He creates a desperate need in the disciples for Him (24-26; 8:25). Situations like that send us all on our knees before Him who desire to have constant, closer communion in prayer.

The waves prevent the disciples from crossing to the other side until Jesus gets to them for yet another extraordinary teaching moment—a greater revelation of His glory, as He came to them walking on the lake (27). Jesus uses the occasion to awaken their faith, bringing them closer to the knowledge of His deity. For whom, apart from God, can walk on water as on dry grounds? Who else has the authority to give another person to walk on water, as He gave to Peter (31)? 

It took extraordinary faith for Peter to step out of the boat and begin his lake walking. The authority of Jesus’s command gave Peter the boldness to step out of his comfort zone (Matthew 14:29). There is power in His word, my friend. Have faith in Him and live above the ordinary. 

Miraculous acts can make us heady and cause us to lose focus on the Miracle Worker—Christ Himself. Peter did, and the winds frightened him, causing his sinking. Therefore, never look away from Him who sustains you by His mighty power. You cannot see the dangers around you because God has shielded your eyes. Allow space for humility while on the mountaintop, and His grace will carry you to a safe landing. 

Finally, remember that when adversity comes your way, Jesus is just a cry away to rescue as He was for Peter on the lake (30-31). 

Now, do you see why the Lord sent you into the storm raging in your life? Open your mind for His life lessons and trust Him through it for His glory. Storms are life settings for Jesus to move you away from the elementary things of faith and into the higher realms of the supernatural where His sovereignty rules. 

Brace yourself, therefore, for the boot camp of the Almighty, where He transforms chickens into eagles. And may the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit propel you into the realm of personal experiences with Jesus for the glory of the Father. Amen!