How To Survive When the Waves Are About to Sink the Boat

Friends have you ever felt like the storms of life are about to drown you? Maybe this morning even in the midst of what should be a time of joy, Christmas, the waves of life have knocked you out of the boat and it seems as if you are about to go under. There is a great story in Matthew chapter 14 that reminds us of what to do when we are drowning in the sea of life.

The story begins right after the great miracle of the feeding of the 5000. So often in our lives it is after some wonderful ministry experience that the storms come. But not always, you see there are two types of storms God allows us to be in. There is the storm of correction, which is when God uses a storm to discipline us and there is the storm of perfection, which God uses to grow us. It is important to examine ourselves whenever a storm hits so that we can understand that the storm has purpose.

This story takes place, not because the disciples had disobeyed, but actually because they had obeyed Jesus when He directed them to feed the 5000.

Matthew 14:22-26
“Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.  And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.  And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.  But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear.”

Imagine the fear they felt. Jesus had left them alone in the boat as He had gone off alone to pray. Then the storm hits. Haven’t we all asked the question, “Where are you God? I’m alone here. I’m scared. The boats about to go under.”

The problem with the disciples and the problem with us is that we think because we cannot see Jesus right there in the boat He has abandoned us. He has not. He was on the mountain praying in this story and right now He is at the right hand of the Father praying for us.  Read the words of Paul from Romans 8:34-35, “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?”

No matter what you face right this very minute; Jesus has not abandoned you. He will come. But if you are His child He will come at the right time. But you have to be looking for Him and you have to take your eyes off the storm and put them on Him or you won’t recognize Him.

Matthew 14:25-27
 “And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.  But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

Even Paul knew this type of fear. But listen to what he says from 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, “For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.  Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.  He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.”

Yes, sometimes we will despair of life itself.

Back to the boat now and watch what Peter does.

Matthew 14:28-29
 “And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”  He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.”

Peter did two things. First he cried out to Jesus. Then he got out of the boat. Read that again. He got out of the boat. In the midst of these horrible waves Peter took a step of faith and got out of the boat and went toward Jesus. We have to step out in faith even in the storm.

But the greatest lesson comes now.

Matthew 14:30
“But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”

Why did Peter sink? Why did all this start to go bad? Jesus gives the answer.

Matthew 14:31
 “Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Peter lost his faith. Why? Because he lost his focus. He took his eyes off of Jesus and he sunk. Again see two things here.

One, we must have faith in Jesus and never take our eyes off Him.

Two, even if we mess up Jesus will still put out His hand to save us from the storm.

Friends, I know the waves seem scary. But there is a reason we are in the storm and we must cry out to Jesus in the midst of it. You are not alone. Jesus is coming but He may be asking you to step out of the boat, even into the waves that seem about to drown you. It’s about faith.

Don’t miss the final point of the story.

Matthew 14:32-33
“And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

When the people around us see our faith in Jesus in action they will see the truth that Jesus is the Christ, son of the living God and they will want to have Him come save them too. Every single aspect of our lives is about bringing glory to God.

There is a reason for the storm. Take heart. Cry out to Jesus this morning and then do what He says. Step out in faith but never, ever take your eyes off of Him. Then rest easy even in the storm, because He is always there ready to put out His hand and pull you from the waves. But you have to be looking for Him or you won’t see Him.