For years, I’d join with others in singing the lyrics of “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” as a closing song for Sunday worship services.
It was a weekly reminder that life would be better in the following week if I kept my focus on the One who saved me and promised to guide me.
For those weeks that I kept that focus, life was good. When I didn’t, it wasn’t.
Most of you have experienced the same in life.
We’re always better off when we keep our eyes on Jesus, even during the storms of life.
Matthew 14 tells the story of the apostles in the middle of the Sea of Galilee in the middle of the night and the middle of a huge storm.
The apostles feared that they were going to drown. And then they saw what they thought was a ghost.
Hebrew customs believed that a ghost was actually a death angel and they thought they were going to die.
But it was Jesus, not a ghost.
When Jesus identified Himself, Peter stopped thinking of fear and started thinking of faith.
“Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
“Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink.
“Save me, Lord!” he shouted. (vv. 28-30)
Jesus, of course, did rescue Peter and Peter’s faith was strengthened by the event.
It’s a cycle, isn’t?
Fear. Then faith. Then fear. Then faith.
When the Holy Spirit stirs you to step out of the boat, don’t let the strong winds and cold waves of opposition rip your eyes off of Jesus.
But if they do, know for certain that Jesus, our gracious Redeemer, will still reach out to grab your fearful-again hand.
As always, I love you
Martin
