PUT YOUR TRUST IN THE LORD By Ed Abraham Matthew 14:22-33 New International Version (NIV) Jesus Walks on the Water 22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 8:23-27 New International Version (NIV) Jesus Calms the Storm 23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” These two stories typify the apostles of Jesus. Many of them had very little faith and often times he would rebuke them for being so. In contrast, another story strikes us because of the great faith of one man: Daniel, God’s prophet. Daniel 6: 16-23 (NIV) 16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” 17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed.18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep. 19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” 21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” 23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. Some walk among us claiming to be prophets and servants of the Lord. And they claim to hold God’s priesthood and the very power that created the heavens and the earth. But what do we see? They are surrounded by a security cordon so heavy and tight it is but impossible for an ordinary man to walk right to them and have an audience. The men so carefully chosen to guard them are practically bristling with phones and guns and ever prepared to frisk anyone or maul and even kill suspicious characters. Are we to expect such security measures as tight as this for those who claim to be the Lord’s anointed? What is the promise to one who completely puts his trust in the Lord? Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever. (Psalm 125:1) The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my savior; thou saved me from violence. I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. 2 Samuel 22:3-4 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makes me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. Psalm 18:30 The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, and he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies. Psalm 41:2 You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who spend your nights in the shadow of the Almighty, who say to the LORD, “My refuge! My fortress! My God, in whom I trust!” – He will rescue you from the trap of the hunter, and from the plague of disease. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge; His truth is a shield and a protection. You will not fear the terrors of night, or the arrow that flies by day, or the sickness that roams in the dark, or even the destruction that lays waste at noon. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it won’t come near you. Only keep your eyes open, and you will see how the wicked are punished. For you have made the LORD, the Most High, who is my refuge, your dwelling place. No disaster will happen to you, no calamity will come near your house; for He will order His angels to care for you and guard you wherever you go. They will carry you in their hands, so that you won’t trip on a stone. You will tread down lions and snakes, young lions and serpents you will trample underfoot. “Because he loves Me, I will rescue him; because he knows My Name, I will protect him. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him. I will be with him when he is in trouble. I will rescue him and bring him honor. I will satisfy him with long life and show him My salvation.” (Psalm 91) …For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5–6 What can man do to a true servant of God? What makes him rely more in the comforting security of men and guns than he relies on God’s promise of safety? O YE OF LITTLE FAITH!
Posted on: Wed, 10 Jul 2013 04:20:42 +0000
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