A Bridge Over Troubled Waters

A Bridge over Troubled Waters

Matthew 8:23-27

In our Christian walk, we go through different seasons. There are seasons where we are experiencing the good times: blessings one after another. During these times, we sing the songs of Zion with joy. Then there are seasons where it feels like we are going through a drought and famine. This is when the test and trials comes. The enemy tries also to steal our joy and song. Where do we get the strength to handle all the pressures of life? How do we navigate through life’s rocky paths in a fleshly tabernacle? We will experience tough times along the way.

God has thoughts of peace for us. Before the beginning of time, God was still king. God created the heavens and earth. God says we are more important than the birds of the air and the fish of the sea. How do we get a testimony when we go through a trial by fire, how do we keep our sanity in a depressed state?

To get from point A to Point B in our Christian walk, we have to go through troubled waters. In these waters, there are alligators, crocodiles, and piranhas that will take you under. It does not matter what your status is in society and how smart you are, you cannot travel from point A to point B on your own strength.

There has to be a solid foundation where we walk on to progress from one destination to the next in our spiritual life. Jesus Christ is the foundation on which we stand. He becomes our bridge when we encounter troubled waters. So let read from Matthew 8:23-27 and find out how Jesus can be a bridge over troubled waters:

“And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!”

(Message: A Bridge over Troubled Waters)

In our scripture we find Jesus and His disciples entering a ship after a time of ministry. After the Sermon on the Mount, before they entered the ship, the bible records 4 miracles that took place:

• Jewish leaper got healed with Christ present.

• Healing of the Centurion’s servant from a distance.

• Healing of Peter’s mother in-law, with Jesus there in the house.

• Healing all that were demon possed, sick and lame, with Jesus present.

They left from Capernaum to pass over the Sea of Galilee to the Eastern shore. And the Sea of Galilee was known to have storms.

So we need to ask ourselves, why do we go through trials?

Trials are hardships that test our faith. There are different types of trials, but they are designed to strengthen our faith in Jesus, to cause us to look toward Him not away from Him. And when we look to Him we find that we come into a better place with God. So although our trials may seem strange and hard we should realize that there will be joy when we come to the end of them as 1 Peter 8:12-13 tells us:

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

We know that tribulation is a state or time of great affliction. Tribulation is connected with deliverance. Tribulations are viewed as entirely within the will of God, serving to promote moral purity and godly character:

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:3-5

Through the testing of the believer’s faith, it leads to greater stability and maturity:

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:2-4

EXAMPLE:

1. The life of Job (how he endured without knowing what was going on, and got blessed at the end).