October 2023
Nougat 22
These days, storms, high gusts and large waves all seem to come at us at the same time. Some of us are terrified, but we don’t know where to turn. Today’s Holy Nougat
“Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.” Matthew 14:24-25 NLT
A Present Help
Psalm 46 reminds us that God is a present help in trouble. This is great reassurance for our moments of distress. Throughout the psalm, different obstacles are presented, and the psalmist assures us – God is in our midst; so there’s no need to worry. Yet sometimes it feels like God is absent. Yet we forget, begin to panic, and in our panic we turn to our own efforts.
The disciples found themselves in an unusual situation. It was significant enough that John mentioned it in his account of Jesus’ earthly life. Being in a storm may not have been unusual, but a storm at sea meant danger, as nature could be a challenge with gusty winds changing the direction of the boat – and they most likely didn’t swim! Trouble had definitely found them.
And Jesus was not in the boat!
Siblings, this is not a case of Jesus ‘sleeping on the job’ – Matthew 8; Mark 4 – He was on land, and they were a far way from the shore! They were alone with the waves and from where they worried, it was a lost battle. I am confident that Psalm 46 was not a comfort to them, and like some of us, in Jesus’ physical absence from the boat, the disciples did not consider asking for help. They wrestled the waves for some time (it seems that they were instructed to cross the lake by Jesus before nightfall, and Jesus appeared at 3 AM).
But Jesus had not forgotten noir forsaken the disciples. In His High Priestly prayer, Jesus indicated to God that He kept all those entrusted to His care (including the disciples) safe. So we know Jesus had a vested interest in the disciples’ safety. He quickly went to their aid, walking atop the treacherous waves.
He neither sank nor drowned!!
This assured me that God will come to our aid, and can be found when we are in need. Since our confession of faith in Jesus qualifies us to be counted amongst those placed in Jesus’ care, we will not be lost. He will ride the waves to save us from distress, He has already conquered the grave for us. With confidence we can cry for help, expect His timely and present intervention.
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May all we seek be found in Christ