Riding on the Storms of Life

The grand old hymn God Moves in a Mysterious Way was written by William Cowper (pronounced Cooper), the English poet, friend of John Newton, who struggled all his life with depression.  According to Ernest Emurian in Living Stories of Famous Hymns, William Cowper wrote this hymn following a period of almost suicidal depression. Calling for a carriage, he ordered the driver to take him to the Ouse River, three miles away, where he planned to kill himself. The driver lost his way in the dense fog, jogging up one road and down another as Cowper fell into a deep sleep. Several hours passed. Finally he returned him to his home. Cowper paid his fare, went inside, and pondered how he had been spared from harming himself by the merciful providence of God. That same evening in 1774, his forty-third year, reflecting on his narrow escape, he wrote this autobiographical hymn:

God moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm.

Cowper had come to understand that the dark storm he endured was the means by which God had chosen to reveal Himself. God rides upon the storm and uses it to perform wonders. Life is literally filled with God-appointed storms. These squalls surge across everyone’s horizon. When storms come we need to do more than just survive them. We need to ride upon them with God. Jesus intended to teach His disciples that very lesson in Matthew 14:22-33. The passage contains the familiar story of the disciples in a God appointed storm and Jesus walking on the water. The experience of the disciples can be a source of encouragement to us. When we encounter a storm we can rest on several assurances.

1.  He placed me here.

Matthew 14:22 says Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go to the other side. Did Jesus know the storm was coming? Yes! Did He deliberately direct them into the storm? Yes! After He sent them away He went into the mountain alone to pray. You might say He was praying up a storm. This was all a part of the test He wanted them to endure. Many times Christians are tempted to think that if they are enduring difficulty they must be out of God’s will. This story teaches us this is simply not true. There are storms of correction designed to correct us when we disobey as illustrated in the life of Jonah. And there are storms of perfection to mature us in the faith. That is the situation in Matthew 14 with the disciples and perhaps it may be yours as well. Just remember that if God placed you in the storm then He has wonders to perform in your life.

2. He sees me.

The parallel account in Mark’s gospel says Jesus could see them straining at the oars (Mark 6:48). They had traveled 31/2 miles of a six mile journey and were making very little progress as they reached the halfway point. They had been striving against the wind for 8 to 9 hours. The Greek word used to describe the conditions means “to torture” or “to cause great distress.” It was often used in the New Testament to speak of demonic activity. Some scholars go so far as to see cosmic powers at work. No doubt Satan would have loved to sink their ship. In that boat was the first generation of gospel preachers, the foundation of the church. If they drown, the Kingdom is halted. But Jesus is not about to let anything happen to them. He keeps, by His power, what has been entrusted to Him by the Father (John 17:12). He knew exactly where they were and how much they could endure. He was watching over them with divine vigilance and He watches over you with equal vigilance.

3. He is praying for me.

Jesus was no doubt praying for them while on that mountain. The whole scene is a picture of the church and the intercessory ministry of our great high priest in heaven. Jesus our great Intercessor (Hebrews 7:25) is the reason we are able to survive. Just as Jesus prayed for Peter to survive the sifting of Satan (Luke 22:31-32) He prays that our faith will not fail. If you ever wonder what He prays, read John 17. As long as He is praying for us we are safe.

4. He will come to me.

After testing their obedience and perseverance, Jesus went to them walking on the water (Matthew 14:25-28). In the time of storm, He will come to you as well. He might not come at the time we think He should come. But He comes! He not only comes in the storm but on the storm. It is the very footpath He uses to draw near to us.

5. He will reveal Himself to me.

When the disciples heard the voice of Jesus they were calmed from their irrational fear of seeing a ghost. In the Greek, Jesus’ words were very specific. He revealed Himself as “I AM,” the great name for God. This is one of the greatest declarations of the deity of Christ in the New Testament. The Old Testament clearly declares that only God could walk on water (Job 9:8; 38:16; Psalm 77:19). His deeds and His words in this one event revealed His deity beyond any question. As a result the disciples rightfully worshiped Him (Matthew 14:33). What they had been debating in their heart had become real. In Matthew 8:27, when Jesus stilled the winds and the waves, they asked a question, “What manner of man is this?” But now their question becomes a declaration, “We believe and are sure that you are the Son of the Living God!” (John 6:69) Remember that God uses the storm to deeply instill theology in your heart. Ask yourself what new truth is God teaching me about Himself?

6. He wants to walk with me.

Many commentaries and preachers like to bash Peter at this point in the story because of his bold request to walk on water with Jesus and the resulting failure. But, I believe Peter was the only one of the disciples who understood what Jesus wanted. Peter would rather be on the water with Jesus than in the supposed safety of the boat. The words, “Bid me come” is a Greek word that means the command of a King. Peter knew Jesus was a Sovereign King over all and that He wanted Peter to walk with Him. Jesus’ one word invitation and command “Come!” reveals that He was far from displeased. Although Peter eventually began to sink, he taught us all a life-altering lesson. As long as we fix our eyes on Jesus we can walk victorious beside Him through the storms that threaten us. The storm is therefore His invitation to walk with Him. He who plants His footsteps on the seas and rides upon the storm desires our fellowship.

7. He will see me through.

After Peter was rescued, the storm immediately ceased and the boat arrived at its destination. The storm had served its purpose and the lesson Jesus wanted to impart was received. Remember, no storm lasts forever. God is faithful to see us through even though it might not seem like it at the present time. Read through the Bible and you will find that not one of God’s children ever perished in a God appointed storm! They all come through the storm stronger, better, and more mature in the faith. As the old saying goes, “Rough seas make the best sailors.” An old sea captain was quizzing a young naval student. "What steps would you take if a sudden storm came up on the starboard?" He replied, "I would throw out an anchor, Sir." "What would you do if another storm sprang up aft?" asked the captain. "I'd throw out another anchor, Sir." "But what if a third storm sprang up forward?" "I'd throw out another anchor, Captain." "Wait a minute, son," said the Captain. "Where in the world are you getting all those anchors?" The young man replied, "From the same place you're getting all those storms." One might laugh but for the believer it is true. The God who sends the storms also provides the anchors to see us through.