Nougat 6

Whether we agreed that the disciples were set up or not, they definitely had a moment of fear. There’s one more point that I want to reiterate, as we consider today’s Holy Nougat

“After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. 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 ‭14‬:‭23‬-‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus Came

There’s a verse in Isaiah that comes readily to mind as I chew. In speaking about God’s new order, Isaiah quotes God’s response to our need for help in trouble/trying times. ’Before you call I will answer. While you are still speaking to me, I will hear (see chapter 65:24). I have always found it both assuring and comforting to me, for it confirms that God hears my heart cry, and perhaps even more importantly, that God’s Rapid Response is always in effect.

And, as I type about God’s Rapid Response I’m reminded of a friend’s take on Psalm 121 that says, ‘He Who guards Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.’ She always insisted, ‘… and He doesn’t wear pajamas.’ In other words, there’s no delay in attending to our needs. Why do these things cross my mind, you ask.

The wind had risen, they were fighting heavy waves and they were in trouble (see verse 24). We know that Jesus was not in the boat (some might reference another storm, where He was asleep in the boat); for He was elsewhere, alone, praying. But with all they faced, the disciples never cried out to God initially when they met with difficulty. It may be that Matthew forgot/neglected to mention it; but he noted the danger that they were in.

Nevertheless Jesus came to their rescue

He wasn’t invited. They knew Jesus was literally physically elsewhere. At the time when they were convinced that death would have come calling, Jesus came; embodying life in fullness. Yes, Jesus was elsewhere, but when it mattered, when it came to the crunch, Jesus appeared on the scene. From their departure to Jesus’ arrival on the scene might have been a while; but Jesus came through – even before they called.

He didn’t appear as they expected; but He was there.

In our own lives, we have this very same blessed assurance. Jesus is on our case. So much so that these days His conversations with God are negotiations on our behalf. Isn’t that what Paul and his team promise us (see the references to both Jesus and God’s Spirit intercessions in Roman’s 8:26-27, 34).

That’s our hope right there. Jesus came through for the disciples; He will come through for us. So we don’t live as ones without Hope.

When the going gets rough, we get praying, praising in advance for the breakthrough and praying for Wisdom and/or reinforcements to overcome. We can rest in the assurance that God’s Rapid Response is reliable and right in time.

Won’t God come through? – Oh yes God will! Let’s hold on to God’s unchanging hand.

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May all we seek be found in Christ