God Who Comes To Us!
- Jan 24, 2025
- 6 min read
We return to our story in Matthew 14.
"Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake" (v25).
We cannot forget that the disciples were where they were because they were obedient not because of disobedience!
But it seems a far cry from the song, 'Trust & Obey': "When we walk with the Lord, in the light of His word, what a glory He sheds on our way. While we do His good will, He abides with us still and with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there's no other way. To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."
The King is absent, the storm is raging and there doesn’t seem to be a way through!
We’re far from HAPPY!
Often in our lives there are definite signs of the absentee Landlord / King. We’ve been taken over by another who now seems to reign in our lives, overwhelming everything that seem to dominate our life.
As God’s people we’ve been dismissed onto the sea of life, in the midst of a storm (it’s been some storm these past couple of months!) and we’ve forgotten that Jesus himself said we would make it to the other side!
Jesus does feel the burdens that we feel and knows what we are going through (Heb 4:14-16) and will meet our need. How?
He comes through the storm
We note in verses 24-25 that Jesus moves from the stillness of prayer to the storm of life, for what purpose? To help the disciples move on in faith. After all, Jesus would one-day leave them, and they would face many storms in their ministries. They had to learn to trust Him even though He was not present with them, and even though it looked as though He didn’t care. But by coming to them He would defy nature and define His power.
Could it be that’s what He is waiting to do in our lives today? Just think! What’s happening that requires His presence right now?
He comes walking on the storm, 3.5 miles out to sea (John 6:19) using the storm as his platform. The very thing that was over the head of the disciples was under His feet. Just to reassure you, read Job 9:7 -10.
Jesus knew all things; He knew the storm was there but He kept on praying, and He comes to them at His timing - verse 25 says ‘before dawn.’
In the Roman world there were four night watches: 1st (6pm – 9pm); 2nd (9pm – 12am); 3rd (12am – 3am); and 4th (3am – 6am). Jesus went out in the fourth watch.
The ‘fourth watch’ for me is the best time of the day!
Did you know, in times of war, about half an hour before both sunrise and after sunset, a 'stand-to' is conducted in the military. That means everyone is put on the alert and assumes a state of readiness to move.
I had a thought! Probably too late to talk about New Year resolutions! But, what about a ‘Stand To’ of prayer? How many of you would be prepared to forfeit a couple hours and covenant together to pray once or twice a week? A ‘Stand to’ of prayer before dawn or after sunset. What about it?
By the way, this is a suggestion to those who feel they could do it without any detrimental effect to their health and wellbeing!
Henri Nouwen says, “prayer makes us reach out to God, not on our own but on God’s terms, then prayer pulls us away from self-preoccupations, encourages us to leave familiar ground, and challenges us to enter into a new world which cannot be contained within the narrow boundaries of our mind or heart.”
A God that comes to us; picture the scene:
In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve had disobeyed God, eaten the fruit and are now in hiding. The Lord God is heard walking in the garden; He calls out, “Where are you?” It’s not a request for information; God knows what they’ve done and where they are. This “Where are you?” is a cry for relationship. God comes to them! That’s the heart of our missionary God. This sets the scene for the rest of Scripture, culminating in Christ coming and giving Himself for us. God comes to us, seeking us; asking time and time again, “Where are you?” Giving us an opportunity to come back into relationship with Him.
Today, we have a God that comes to us, right where we are! Hallelujah!
Jesus does come
We see that even though Jesus seems to delay His response to the disciples, He will not disappoint them. He sees their struggle, yet it wasn’t until the near breaking of a new day that He showed up.
Today, you may be saying, 'He’s taking His time', and you’re wondering when will He show up? Don’t lose heart, a new day is about to dawn!
You may be facing some of the darkest experiences in your life. Let me remind you that during this time, God is still God. The disciples were in a struggle; Mark 6:48 puts it this way, “straining at the oars”, which gives the feeling that they were going against the storm. When the disciples thought all hope was lost, Jesus showed up!
Please remember, He does see our striving, straining and struggling. He’s watching over us.
Psalm 121:8: "The Lord will watch over your coming and going now and for ever."
God is always there; He's a never leave you God. He’s ‘watching over you.’ By the way, the word for ‘watch’ is ‘shamar’ in Hebrew. It's used for someone looking after a diamond or something that is so precious that you cannot take your eyes off it, in order to keep it safe. God never stops, never gets distracted, not for one moment does He withhold or put to one side His love for you. He’s ‘watching’ over you right now!
God doesn’t ignore us; He’s not insensitive towards our struggles; He’s always compassionate! Take heart, that even if no one else knows, if no one else sees, if no one else seems to care, the eyes of our Father God are watching you! He will defy nature and define His power for you.
No matter how long it seems to take; no matter how bleak the outlook seems to be, GOD'S FAITHFULNESS IS ABSOLUTE!
"Know therefore that the LORD your God, is God, he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands" (Deut 7:9).
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess; for he who promised is faithful" (Heb 10:23).
Henry Nouwen tells of meeting the trapeze artists at a circus one day. He learnt how there’s a special relationship between the flyer and the catcher.
The flyer is swinging high above the crowds then she lets go. Nothing to hold onto, just flying! She can’t go back, she can’t accelerate the catch, no matter how much she wants to, she's just got to keep going. Also, the flyer must never try to catch the catcher, she must wait in absolute trust that the catcher will show up! He will show up!
How often we’re in free fall, or like the disciples in fear of sinking! We are forever asking...
When will He come?
When we need Him and least expect Him, and when human extremity dictates.
J. B. Phillips said: “Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.”
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deut 31:6, NIV).
Lewis Smedes writes, "Waiting is our destiny as creatures who cannot by themselves bring about what they hope for. We wait in the darkness for a flame we cannot light. We wait in fear for a happy ending we cannot write. We wait for a not yet that feels like a not ever. Waiting is the hardest work of hope."
What are the things in life that we’re struggling with, when God feels like He’s miles away? Where is that resistance like we're ‘straining at the oars?’ You know what that is for you. Perhaps it’s the disapproval of other people or differences of opinion; perhaps it's those personality conflicts; or you're simply straining against the prevailing opinions of the time at work or in the home. Maybe it’s fatigue and you’re just tired of all the ‘stuff’!
Could it be that like the disciples, we are often good at hearing what God says in the beginning but then at some point allow the devil to convince us that God’s Word of promise isn’t enough, that God’s track record with his people isn’t enough and we begin to drown in our own personal sea of doubt?
Job 23:10-12 states, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I shall come out as gold. My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.”
My friends, the catcher will turn up!
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