Life is a journey fraught with trials and tribulations. These challenges are inescapable and come in various forms—emotional, physical, spiritual, and relational. As Christians, we acknowledge that trials are a part of the human experience. You are either in a storm, just getting out of one, or about to enter one. It is the nature of life in a fallen world. However, the Gospel’s good news offers us a profound hope: we serve a good God who provides beautifully, especially during the darkest periods of life. This truth is powerfully illustrated in the account of Jesus walking on water as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew 14:22-34.
In this narrative, we witness the disciples encountering a literal storm on the Sea of Galilee, a storm that serves as a metaphor for our trials. Yet, in the midst of this turmoil, Jesus demonstrates His divine power and loving care by walking on water and rescuing His disciples. This account is not merely a historical record; it is a vivid reminder that the same Jesus who walked on water then is present in our storms today, offering His presence, His guidance, and His strength.
The Reality of Trials
The Bible is unambiguous in its teaching that trials are a part of the Christian life. The Apostle Peter writes, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12, ESV). Trials should not catch us off guard; they are to be expected. However, the presence of trials does not negate the goodness of God. On the contrary, it is often in the midst of our most severe trials that we most profoundly experience His goodness and provision.
In Matthew 14:22-24, we read about another storm on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had just performed the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, and immediately afterward, He “made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away” (Matthew 14:22, ESV). Jesus then went up on the mountain by Himself to pray, and while He was alone, the disciples found themselves in the middle of the sea, “tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary” (Matthew 14:24, ESV). The disciples were in a storm, and Jesus was not physically with them at that moment. This situation symbolizes the trials we face—times when we feel alone, tossed by the waves of life, and unable to see Jesus.
God’s Presence in Our Trials
One of the most comforting truths in the Christian faith is that God is always present with His people, even in the darkest times. The promise of His presence is a consistent theme throughout Scripture. Deuteronomy 31:8 assures us, “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (ESV). This promise of God’s unwavering presence is foundational for living with comfort, courage, and confidence, no matter the circumstances we face.
In the account of Jesus walking on water, His presence becomes manifest most dramatically. As the disciples struggle against the storm, Jesus comes to them “in the fourth watch of the night” (Matthew 14:25, ESV), walking on the sea. The fourth watch, between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m., represents the darkest part of the night, symbolizing the times when we are most desperate and vulnerable. Yet, during these dark moments, Jesus approaches, not to trouble us but to offer comfort and help. When the disciples see Him, they are initially terrified, thinking He is a ghost. But Jesus immediately reassures them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27, ESV).
This powerful encounter teaches us that Jesus is not distant in our trials; He is near. His presence in our lives is not dependent on our ability to perceive Him. Even when we do not feel His nearness, He is there, walking towards us in the midst of our storm. His words, “Do not be afraid,” are as much a command as they are a comfort. Fear is a natural human response to trials, but Jesus calls us to replace our fear with faith in His presence and power.
God’s Sovereignty and Control Over Our Trials
Another key truth revealed in this passage is that God is sovereign over our trials. He is not only present with us in our storms; He is in control of them. The disciples were in the storm not accidentally but because Jesus “made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side” (Matthew 14:22, ESV). Jesus knew the storm was coming, yet He still sent them into it. This teaches us that trials are often divinely appointed. They are not random occurrences but part of God’s purposeful plan for our lives.
The Bible repeatedly affirms that God uses trials to accomplish His purposes in us. Romans 8:28 reminds us, “We know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose” (ESV). No matter how painful, our trials are under God’s sovereign hand, and He uses them to bring about His good purposes in our lives.
The storm on the Sea of Galilee was under the control of Jesus. He walked on the very waves that threatened to overwhelm the disciples. When Peter, emboldened by Jesus’ presence, stepped out of the boat and began to walk on the water, it was only when he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the “wind [that] was boisterous” that he began to sink (Matthew 14:30, ESV). Yet, even in his moment of doubt, Jesus was there to save him, immediately reaching out His hand to catch him.
This narrative illustrates that while we may not always understand why God allows certain trials, we can trust that He is in control and that He is using these trials to accomplish His purposes. As Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” (ESV). We may not see the full picture, but we can trust the One who does.
The Purpose of Trials is Growth and Maturity
Trials are not only about enduring hardship but also opportunities for growth. The Bible teaches that God uses trials to refine our faith and develop our character. James 1:2-4 encourages us to “count it all joy, my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (ESV). Trials are exercises in trust; they are occasions for us to learn more fully how great God’s power and love are.
The disciples’ faith was tested in the storm on the Sea of Galilee. Peter’s boldness in stepping out of the boat was a remarkable display of faith, but his subsequent fear when he saw the wind revealed the weakness of his faith. Jesus’ gentle rebuke, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31, ESV), highlights that faith is not just about initial enthusiasm; it is about sustained trust in the face of adversity.
However, it is important to note that Jesus did not leave Peter to sink. Even in doubt, Peter cried out, “Lord, save me!” and Jesus immediately responded by stretching out His hand and catching him (Matthew 14:30-31, ESV). This verse demonstrates that while our faith may falter, Jesus is always ready to catch us when we call out to Him. The experience of being saved by Jesus in such a dramatic way would have undoubtedly strengthened Peter’s faith and deepened his understanding of who Jesus is.
Trials, therefore, serve a dual purpose: they expose the weaknesses in our faith, but they also provide an opportunity for that faith to grow stronger. The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in Romans 5:3-5, where he writes, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (ESV). Through trials, God molds us into the image of Christ, producing in us the endurance, character, and hope that are the hallmarks of mature faith.
Gratitude in the Midst of Trials
No one enjoys hard times. Trials are often painful and challenging, but the Bible calls us to a posture of gratitude, even in the midst of suffering. This response may seem counterintuitive, but it is a powerful expression of trust in God’s goodness and sovereignty. The Apostle Paul, who endured numerous trials, exhorts believers to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, ESV). Gratitude in trials is not about denying the reality of our pain; rather, it is about acknowledging God’s hand in our lives and trusting that He is working all things for our good.
In the account of Jesus walking on water, the storm did not immediately cease when Jesus appeared. Only after He and Peter got into the boat did” the wind cease” (Matthew 14:32, ESV). This verse teaches us that Jesus’ presence does not always mean the immediate removal of our trials. Sometimes, He allows the storm to continue for a time, but His presence in the midst of the storm is a reason for gratitude.
Gratitude in trials is also linked to our faith in God’s ultimate deliverance. Just as Jesus eventually calmed the storm for the disciples, we can be confident that He will ultimately deliver us from all our trials. Whether in this life or the next, God’s promise to His people is sure: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4, ESV).
Walking with Jesus in the Storms of Life
The story of Jesus walking on water is more than just an account of a miraculous event; it is a profound lesson in faith, trust, and the goodness of God. As we navigate the storms of life, we are reminded that Jesus is with us, that He is sovereign over our trials, and that He is using them to accomplish His good purposes in us. Even when we cannot see Him, He is there, walking towards us, ready to save us when we cry out to Him.
In the end, the trials we face are not meaningless. They are opportunities for us to grow in our faith, to experience God’s presence more deeply, and to become more like Christ. As we keep our eyes on Jesus, we can walk with confidence and courage, knowing that He who began a good work in us will complete it on the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6, ESV). Therefore, let us embrace life’s trials with faith and gratitude, trusting in the goodness of the God who walks with us through every storm.
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