Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified.
In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
Matthew 14:22-27 NLT
There was a brown lumpy thing next to the paper towel holder on the bathroom counter. True to the slogan that everything's bigger in Texas, so are its bugs... So, my first instinct was, "Kill!" Can you imagine how I laughed when I realized I was trying to kill a ponytail holder?
How many times have you seen something just far enough away that it's not discernible from where you are? You have to get closer. And even then, sometimes you can't tell what it is till you get right up on it - or if there's not enough light, you may even have to touch it to see what it is.
In our text for today, can you imagine the disciples in the boat when the storm whips up? What was going on in their minds? Oh, why didn't Jesus just come with us? Oh, come, Lord Jesus, we need You! Father, please save us! You can make the wind stop! You control the universe! You can make the storm go away! Make it stop!!" Nothing happens that they can tell, so they pray harder and probably much louder!
No, the Scripture doesn't say specifically that they were praying, but it does say they were afraid. And if Christians are afraid, you best believe, they're praying!! O Lord, save us! We're gonna drown! And then here He comes...walking across the water. The miraculous answer to their prayers! And they don't believe it...because that's not where they were looking for Him. His response - His ANSWER to their prayer - was not in the form they expected. They couldn't see Him from where they were.
Where are you? Are you praying about or for something or someone? Have you defined how it needs to be done?
Peter said, Lord, if it's really You, bid me come." And Jesus replied, Yes, come. Can you see it from where you are? Maybe you need to get a little closer. Maybe you need to touch Him...
Prayer:
Father,
Forgive us for limiting You by our unbelief. Open our spiritual eyes to see You in Your fullness and glory. Let us stay so close that we never ask, 'Where are you?' Let us see Your hand in all things that pertain to life. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
