IS THE WIND ROCKING

YOUR SHIP?

As I look back over this past week, and the beginning of this year, I sense that many people are being tossed by the wind and waves, and they feel like they are going to sink.  It is dark in their lives and the storms are fierce.  There are deadlines to meet, appointments to keep, and not enough hours in the day.  Sometimes we are tossed about all day long, and the struggles never seem to cease.  We grieve because a beloved friend or loved one is taken in death.  We are frantic when the bills come due and there is more month then there is money, especially after the holidays. 

Some suffer pain in their bodies and they never seem to find relief.  Some receive a frightening doctor’s report after having medical tests.  Some dear ones that I know as a Pastor are crippled in their bodies, pain never ceases.  Some feel like loved ones have forsaken them, and they are so alone.  I know of people who were once well and strong in mind and body, now have dementia and live in a world of confusion.  Yes, their ship is being battered about and they feel as if they are going to go under.  You may be one of those situations today or some deep time of trouble.  But take heart today, my friend, look out there over the troubled waters and there is someone walking on the water looking straight at you, He is Jesus the Christ, the Lord of All.

“And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.  But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves; for the wind was contrary.  And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, it is a spirit; and they cried out in fear.  But straightway Jesus spake unto them saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid” Matthew 14:23-27.

In this chapter of Matthew we read of the feeding of the 5,000 men, including women and children.  After the twelve baskets were taken up, Jesus sent the multitudes away, put the disciples on the ship to go to the other side of the lake, and He himself went up on the mountain to pray.  He had had a very busy day breaking bread, ministering to the sick with great compassion and He had also heard about the death of John the Baptist by Herod and Jesus needed to pray and receive strength from His Father.

Now the disciples set out across the lake and the wind came up strongly, battering and tossing their ship, and they were much frightened.  And all of a sudden they saw someone walking on the water, and they cried out in fear, thinking it was a spirit, and it was Jesus!  And what does Jesus say to them, and to us in our great times of fear and trouble?  “Be of good cheer, it is I; be not afraid.”  And when Jesus walks into the midst of our deepest trials, He brings a great calm and peace to our souls.

Yes, our Majestic Lord walks on water, calms the storms.  He is the Lord of Glory, the creator of this vast and beautiful universe.

“He alone has spread out the heavens and marches on the waves of the sea.  He made all the stars – the Bear, Orion, the Pleiades, and the constellations of the southern sky.  He great works are too marvelous to understand.  He performs miracles without number” Job 9:8-10. (NLT)

This is the God we serve, our Mighty Lord.  Look out at the heavens and the stars.  And yes, He marches on the waves of the sea, as we see in this beautiful passage in Matthew.  What an Awesome God we serve!

“Bless the LORD, O my soul.  O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.  Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh on the wings of the wind: who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed forever” Psalm 104:1-5.

How can we fathom this Mighty God?  This God whose garment is as light, and He walks “on the wings of the wind.”  This Jesus who walked on the water, calmed their storm and their fears, is the God who laid the foundations of the earth and stretched out the heavens like a curtain.  Oh, Praise the Lord!  Jesus is the “Master of the Wind.” 

"My boat of life sails on a troubled sea whenever there’s a wind in my sail.  But I have a friend who watches over me when the breeze turns into a gale.

I know the Master of the wind.  I know the Maker of the rain.  He can calm a storm, make the sun shine again.  I know the Master of the wind.

Sometimes I soar like an eagle through the sky above the peaks my soul can be found.  An unexpected storm may drive me from the heights, brings me low, but never brings me down.

I know the Master of the wind.  I know the Maker of the rain.  He can calm a storm, make the sun shine again.  I know the Master of the wind.  (Recorded by the Hemphills)

Do you know this “Master of the Wind?”  This Jesus, the Lord of Glory, is also your Savior, who came to this earth to die for you, to forgive your sins, and give you eternal life with Him forever.  He is calling you right now in the midst of your stormy sea of life.  He still walks on the water in the midst of troubled seas in our lives.  Come to Him now, cry out to Him, ask Him to forgive your sins, and make you a new “creature in Christ Jesus.”  And yes, we will have struggles and trials, but as we belong to Jesus, He is always there is the midst, never leaving us, always bring peace and joy.  Turn to Him now, my friends, He is waiting for you!

Peace and Blessing,

Pastor Sharon