Pain to Purpose Devotional - DAY 35
Week 5: Jesus
SCRIPTURE:
Isaiah 43:2-3 (ESV)
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Isaiah 59:1 (NIV)
1 Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.
DEVO:
In order to truly understand the power and meaning behind the miracle of Jesus (and Peter) walking on the water, one must back up to the mountain where Jesus settled in solitude before He sent his disciples across the unpredictable Sea of Galilee. This mountain is called Mount Arbel. Mount Arbel is a well-known site in the region of Galilee sandwiched between the towns of Tiberias and Magdala.
This mountain is quite a spectacle, one side dons a rolling hillside where Jesus had the five thousand sit on the ground as He multiplied and distributed food. The other side of the mountain features an impressive rockface that descends treacherously into the Valley of Doves. Standing out at the point of this mountain on a clear day, one is given a breathtaking view of the Sea of Galilee and its surrounding port towns. What’s paramount to understand is that as you look out over the Sea, you can easily predict when a storm is brewing and threatens to disrupt the waters. There is little doubt that the storm the disciples found themselves in, Jesus saw coming -- and He intentionally sent them into it anyways.
Would Jesus really do such a thing? Would He purposefully send the group of men He loved the most into a life-threatening storm? What motivation could He possibly have for doing something like this? Perhaps Jesus knew something the disciples didn’t. Perhaps He knew the end of the story -- that no matter how bad the storm got, the disciples would not be overtaken by it. Perhaps He not only saw the storm coming way ahead of time, but also had a rescue plan plotted out even before it hit.
You see, when trial, tragedy, or major life transition comes into our lives, we must understand that the storm we have found ourselves caught up in did not take Jesus by surprise. He is not in Heaven wringing His hands, trying to figure out what to do because He didn’t see this coming. In fact, quite the opposite. Jesus not only saw your trial coming from an eternity away, He also prepared a rescue plan. He set certain things into motion well ahead of time that would push back the storm we’re facing. He made prior arrangements to come off the mountain and walk out on the water at just the nick of time.
Preachers throughout history have taught awe-inspiring messages about Peter losing his focus and taking his eyes off Jesus. But the reality is, we’re all guilty of being Peter. We’re all guilty of instantaneously finding ourselves sinking when moments ago we were striding atop the waves -- that is assuming we had the courage and faith to get out of the boat in the first place. It’s really easy to get overwhelmed when you’re in the middle of the storm and the waves are threatening to overtake you, but Jesus has a perspective from much higher up, above our storm. He not only sees the storm rolling in, He sees us rolling along in the storm. And even when we take our eyes off of Him, He never takes His eyes off of us. He will swoop in at just the nick of time, pull us up with a Mighty Arm that is never too short to save, set us back on sturdy ground, and calm the storm raging within our own heart. That is our God, our Rock, our Anchor, our Salvation.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND JOURNALING:
Has it ever struck you that God’s not surprised by what you’re going through? Does this thought bring you comfort? Concern? More questions?
What are some ways you can keep a mountain-top, heavenly perspective even in the midst of your storm?
In what ways have you seen Jesus come through for you to rescue you in the middle of this trial?
PRAYER:
Lord, my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude and thankfulness. Though it seems like I’m alone, I know that you have not taken your eyes off of me. You are watching, waiting for the perfect time to come to my rescue. Help me to keep my Kingdom perspective while I’m waiting. Help me to know that you already have an escape plan coordinated for me, I just need to trust your timing and what you’re doing.
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