October 20,2009
God Direction: Let us cross over to the other side.
I'm sure you have many questions but let's start with scripture.
Matthew 8:18-27When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
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.
The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”1
Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side of course. But why did Jesus want to cross the lake? He too wanted to take the disciples to the other side? But why? Were they running from the crowd? I don't think so. As we read further I think it is revealed that Jesus had other intentions beyond getting to the other side of the lake.
As the story begins we learn that the disciples had many things on their mind. One says I will follow you anywhere but Jesus reveals that he may not understand anywhere. Then another asks to be excused to attend to the burial of his father. Jesus replies that he should let the dead bury themselves. Jesus' response seems harsh but we should take into consideration this is the style that Matthew writes, it is very matter of fact. Still Jesus reminds the disciples that He and His ministry should be first. It seems that the disciples didn't understand who Jesus was yet and weren't putting their full trust in Him.
Here comes the storm. The storm brings the disciples to the brink of despair and they plead to Jesus to help them. Let's apply this to our lives. We all have trouble putting our full trust in God. The storms come, usually without warning, to remind us of what is important. It makes us trust God. The storm puts us in the situation that we can't get out of on our own. We must put our trust in God and let Him take over.
This is where I admit that I have had trouble writing this. I'm in the storm right now. I know in my head that God will get me out of it but my feelings betray me. I feel alone, I feel abandoned, (even though I am surrounded by friends and family) I feel out of control, I feel despair. But I will still praise God because He will work everything for good. So let us cross over to the other side. The other side of ourselves where God is. Let us trust God and praise Him even in the storm. Casting Crowns sing a Song called "Praise You in This Storm." This song speaks to me in times like these.
watch and listen
I was sure by now
God you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as You mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will life my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
Let's pray: Father God, I feel alone and forgotten in this storm that I'm in but I know that You are here with me. I Praise You. Help me to Praise You in this storm. Help me to see your hand at work in me. In Christ's Name I pray, Amen
Questions, comments, email me at:
ablaue@goddireciton.com
