PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 14:22-33
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“When he saw the wind, he was afraid…” (Matthew 14:30)
There is a poem called ‘Who Has Seen the Wind’ by Christina Rossetti.
It describes the wonder, power, and beauty of the unseen in life and the world.
“Who has seen the wind? Neither I nor you: But when the leaves hang trembling, The wind is passing through. Who has seen the wind? Neither you nor I: But when the trees bow down
their heads, The wind is passing by.”
I can’t imagine what it would be like to see Jesus walking on the water.
Nor can I imagine having the nerve to step out and walk on the water myself.
But I can imagine myself seeing the wind, and totally losing my nerve.
The winds and storms of life do cause me to tremble, but do I bow down to them?
The power of sin, sorrow and death are invisible, yet visible in their effect.
They cause us to tremble, but I do not want to worship them, bow down to them.
The power of Jesus, the cross and the Spirit are invisible, yet visible in their effect.
I choose to bow down to Jesus, to hang on to his greater invisible power made visible.
What invisible force are you seeing, what invisible force are you hanging on to?
PRAYER
Lord, I admit that I take my eyes off you and focus on the other forces threatening to sink me. ‘Lord, save me’, reach out your hand to me so that I can hang on to you!
I get this: “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid”. Peter saw the effects of the wind – the waves and probably heard it too. I get this because I can get anxious when I think about some of the things happening – in my church, in society, the economy, the devastating effects of climate change, war, and now earthquake disasters – tall buildings crumbling with people inside. Its awful. Lord help me not look at the effects of all that is around me – but look to you. Help me to do what I can!
Amen.
Comfort.
Comfort is putting my hand into His. It is He Who saves.
It is He Who can calm me in the storms of life.
Jesus Saviour pilot me today and always.
Jesus, Savior, pilot me,
Over life’s tempestuous sea:
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rocks and treach’rous shoal;
Chart and compass come from Thee–
Jesus, Savior, pilot me!