When the Battle Chooses You
23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" 26 He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"
Matthew 8:23-27 - NIV
Each person oftentimes face life with so much enthusiasm but meet with disappointments. We feel convinced that we are on the right path to fulfill destiny and that God is on the lead into a glorious destiny but the unseen circumstances of life do interject and becloud our sight with no assurance of a clear sight for the anticipated end. During these times, life gets so frustrating because, we feel so lonely combating the challenges and forgetting the fact that God is ever with us on the voyage.
From the above passage, we shall have a careful look at how the disciples approached the storm that wanted to terminate their lives at sea. Jesus took the lead into this voyage and all his disciples took after him. From out of the blue, there arose a great storm which threatened to terminate their lives at sea. Although, the sea is voyagers must understand that storms could arise without warning and its terror can make them give up on their focus and dreams, yet none would ever consider ending up in the storm.
The enemies is no respecter of any man. The enemies will appear in an intimidating manner and force us to take our gaze of Master Jesus, but we need to learn how to refocus on God because:
?The battle is not ours. “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands." 1 Sam 17:47
?FEAR (False Experiences Appearing Real) will only weaken our faith and hope in God
?Our enemy was conquered long ago. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Pet. 5:8
?Master Jesus is right in that situation with us and he is waiting for us to call upon Him. “...and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me." Psalm 50:15
There are so many SHIP in man’s way to fulfil destiny. Some are spiritual, relational, professional, social, emotional, psychological, etc. Examples of these ships in clearer terms are friendship, marriage relationship, fellowship of: administrators, scientists, brethren, dealers, etc. We all must join one or more of these ships in order to fulfil our dreams as Jesus did with his disciples in order to fulfil his heavenly mandate. All these combined together makes meaning out of a man’s life.
The most interesting of all that, the ship in which we become a voyager defines our destination and how we end up our journey in life. For the disciples, the journey attracted:
A great storm
A great danger
A great fear
A great lack of faith
A great Saviour
A great demonstration of power and
A great testimony (King Jame’s Version: Preachers Bible)
If the voyage initiated by Jesus Christ could be waylaid by a great storm, How much more the journey of life initiated out of flesh and selfish interest? The storm is real and uniquely customized with readiness to overturn the ship without respect for the Captain. But with Jesus Christ as your Captain, He will calm every storm and grant you a safe passages in life. Will you make Jesus Christ the Captain of your SHIPs today?
The disciples were able to overcome this confrontation because they cried out unto Jesus Christ. Overcoming the challenges of life that befriends us is possible only by giving Jesus the full right to address the situation.
I, hereby admonish you to turn those battles unto him, for he is the Master of all situations and times.
“No waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean and earth and skies.”
HYMN
1.Master, the tempest is raging!
The billows are tossing high!
The sky is o’er shadowed with blackness.
No shelter or help is nigh.
Carest thou not that we perish?
How canst thou lie asleep
When each moment so madly is threat’ning
A grave in the angry deep?
Refrain
The winds and the waves shall obey thy will:
Peace, be still.
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
Or demons or men or whatever it be,
No waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean and earth and skies.
They all shall sweetly obey thy will:
Peace, be still; peace, be still.
They all shall sweetly obey thy will:
Peace, peace, be still.
2. Master, with anguish of spirit
I bow in my grief today.
The depths of my sad heart are troubled.
Oh, waken and save, I pray!
Torrents of sin and of anguish
Sweep o’er my sinking soul,
And I perish! I perish! dear Master.
Oh, hasten and take control!
3. Master, the terror is over.
The elements sweetly rest.
Earth’s sun in the calm lake is mirrored,
And heaven’s within my breast.
Linger, O blessed Redeemer!
Leave me alone no more,
And with joy I shall make the blest harbor
And rest on the blissful shore. (Text: Mary Ann Baker, ca. 1874 Music: H. R. Palmer, 1834–1907)
