This week, we reflect on what it means to endure in faith – specifically how our mindset, perception and focus enables us to remain anchored in the hope we have in Christ. Endurance empowers us to live out the principles of God’s Word, faithfully obeying all He has commanded, no matter the storms we face.
In Matthew 14, we see the disciples face tribulation after receiving a clear instruction from the Lord Jesus. Verse 22 says, “Jesus constrained His disciples to get into a ship, and to go before Him unto the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.” After sending them off, Jesus withdrew to pray alone (vs.23), reminding us of the importance of prioritising time alone with the Father to commune with Him. As the disciples journeyed in obedience to the Master’s command, “the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary” (vs.24). Jesus had given them a grace instruction – to go to the other side – yet they encountered resistance. Church, a word from God does not guarantee smooth sailing, nor does it exempt us from tribulation and persecution; in fact, persecution arises for the Word’s sake (Mark 4:17). When God speaks, opposition often follows, but we still need to respond to that word in faith. The winds were contrary, pulling the disciples back to where they had come from. We too can find ourselves in this predicament when facing resistance, tempted to return to the familiar, to the shore, where we feel in control. But endurance means staying the course and trusting that God is with us, even when we can’t yet see the outcome.
In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them – not immediately but after a while (vs.25). Many of us want immediate rescue when pressure hits, but true endurance means waiting and trusting God even though the storm rages, knowing that He is working even when we can’t see it. However, many believers today prefer a quick fix or instant miracle instead of tarrying in the Word and applying it until they see the deliverance of the Lord and the manifestation of His promises. But it should not be so. Apostle Mark’s account adds that as Jesus came towards them, He would have passed them by (Mark 6:48), not because He didn’t care, but because they had to perceive His presence and call out to Him in faith. Saints, our faith response is what allows us to lay hold of what God has already availed in Christ. So don’t suffer in silence; reach out in faith – to God and the community He has placed around you – so you can receive the help and breakthrough He has already prepared. Verse 26 tells us that when the disciples saw Jesus walking on the sea, they cried out in fear, mistaking Him for a ghost. Fear clouded their perception, and they failed to recognise their deliverance when it came. Fear can distort our vision and blind us from recognising the very thing we’ve been praying for, especially when the answer doesn’t come in the package we expect. It is therefore crucial to train our spiritual senses to discern and embrace the orchestrations of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Jesus then said to the disciples, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” (vs.27). Yes, saints, IT IS POSSIBLE to rejoice in the midst of a storm. Our joy is not solicited from earthly things, but found in Christ Himself, and that joy strengthens and empowers us to overcome whatever comes our way (Nehemiah 8:10). So Peter said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water” (vs.28). And Jesus said, “Come.” With that one word, Peter stepped out onto the water, walking by faith and sustained by the Word of the Lord. Saints, miracles happen when we respond to God’s Word by taking steps of faith. But something changed: “when Peter saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” “ (vs.30). The storm had been raging all along, but it only began affecting Peter when he shifted his focus, because what we focus on either strengthens our faith or chips away at it. Isaiah 26:3 says that those who keep their minds on God will remain in perfect peace, but Jonah 2:8 warns that those who observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
Also note that Peter began to sink – it is a process; the more attention you give to facts, the less you operate in faith, until you eventually just settle for survival. The moment Peter took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the storm, fear crept in – and with it, doubt. But the Lord’s mercy was available in Peter’s time of need, as it is for us today. Jesus immediately stretched out His hand and caught Peter, saying, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (vs.31). It was not the measure or size of Peter’s faith that caused him to sink, but the presence of doubt. Scripture tells us that even mustard-seed faith can move mountains (Matthew 17:20), but doubt makes our faith less effective. Doubt gains access when we take our eyes off Jesus. And just as faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17), so does doubt. So guard your hearing. Feed your spirit with the Word, and keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, because as long as your focus remains on Him, you can and will walk above any storm.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help us to have faith even in the storms of life. Teach us to keep our eyes fixed on You as we take each step of faith, trusting Your presence and power to carry us through. Strengthen our hearts to endure and obey, knowing that with You, nothing is impossible. In Jesus’s name, Amen
