Matthew 14:22-26 (AMP)
22 Immediately He directed the disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side [of the Sea of Galilee], while He sent the crowds away. 23 After He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When it was evening, He was there alone. 24 But the boat [by this time] was already a [a]long distance from land, tossed and battered by the waves; for the wind was against them.
The disciples had just witnessed and been part of an amazing miracle as Jesus fed the crowds with the fish and the loaves. Jesus then directs them to get into a boat and cross over to the other side while he sends the crowds away. I am sure the disciples had lots to talk about in the boat reflecting on what they had just witnessed. Suddenly the situation changes and here they are in a boat in the middle of the sea and the waves are overwhelming them.
One of the misconceptions that many believers make is to assume that because God has sent you, or because you are walking in His will then storms are not part of the package. Nothing could be further from the truth, in fact if God sends you then prepare yourself for a storm because it will come. When you think of all the great men and women of God in the bible, you will discover that there was a storm or storms that they had to overcome.
We pride ourselves in declaring;
Romans 8:37 (AMP)
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us].
How can we be more than conquerors if we never conquer anything in our life? You and I need to know that God does not allow storms to come our way to destroy us. Storms are meant to strengthen us, to build our faith because when a storm comes then we have an opportunity to exercise our faith. Storms provide an environment for God to demonstrate His might and His power in our life. Storms are good for you.
It may have seemed like the disciples were all alone and about to perish because the winds were against them and the waves were threatening to capsize their boat and many times it seems that way when we are in the eye of the storm. We cannot feel the presence of God and we feel abandoned and all alone but that is not so. Just because you cannot feel God does not mean He is not there. Jesus knew exactly what was going on and what His disciples were going through and that is why He came to them walking on the water. Help was at hand.
Psalm 121 (AMP)
I will lift up my eyes to the hills [of Jerusalem] — From where shall my help come? 2 My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.
