Trusting in the Midst of the Storm
By Emily B.
Peter sat in the boat, watching as around him and his friends blew the storm
The seas surged, the sky was dark, and the wind blew
Peter sat, shivering, attempting to keep warm
But then, oh! What was that light coming from afar?
It drew closer, and yet closer still
The men all began to tremble and be afraid,
Thinking it was some being intending to bring them ill
And here they were, trapped in the midst of a wild gale.
As the thing grew closer, they soon could see
Beyond the storm
The form of a man, but oh, could it be
Was the man truly walking on top of the waves?
Yes, why it was the form of a man that was approaching so near
The men were still afraid, for it seemed to be coming right to their boat
What would become of them? they wondered with fear
When beyond the sound of the storm, they heard a voice.
“Be of good cheer, it is I; be not afraid” came the gentle cry
The men began to ask themselves ‘But how can we know it really is the Lord
And if it is Him walking on the storm…then why?’
So Peter summoned his courage and shouted to the figure
“Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water!” his voice rang out
“Come” said the figure on the water
Why, it was Him! It was their Lord, on the waves, walking about!
Peter, with hardly a second thought, got out of the boat.
And, he looked towards Jesus, His friend
But then he noticed the wind
How it blew so boisterous and fierce, oh would this be his end?
He took one step, and then another
But then he noticed the waves and sea
Oh how they crashed and roared
And from Jesus his eyes began to flee
Soon he found himself looking at the storm, and not his Lord
Immediately he began to sink so he cried “Lord, save me”
As fear filled his heart and mind
Jesus stretched out his hand, and caught him; then Peter once again Jesus could see
“O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” came the soft voice
Dear friend, it is the same for you and me when we face storms of life
When we are battered, worn, and beaten
By fighting the enemy’s strife
The Savior wants us to just keep our eyes on Him
He will help us, the victory to win
By sending the storm, He only desires
To prefect us, to help us, to completely cleanse us from sin
Most of all He wants us to learn to trust Him.
Don’t allow the struggle you face to harden your heart
And don’t think you face the trial alone, for your Savior is always near
Just continue pressing onward, and doing your part
Soon the storm will end, and morning will break forth.
“And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased” and the storm was done
Jesus had the entire situation in His control, from beginning until end
And with Him, the victory over every storm is always won
So next time you face a trial and you’re tempted to worry or fear
Remember to keep your eyes on Jesus, above all circumstances; He will guide you through
If you trust Him,
What He did for Peter, He will do for you!
If through the trial, you keep focused on Him
You’ll walk on the water, just as Peter did that day.
And if you remember not to look around
Though the storm rages, you will stand strong; for Jesus will lead you all along the way
Just keep trusting in the midst of the storm.
- Based on Matthew 14: 22-32
I Asked the Lord That I Might Grow
John Newton; Submitted by Lyndsey H.
I asked the Lord, that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly His face.
I hoped that in some favoured hour
At once He’d answer my request,
And by His love’s constraining power
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.
Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry powers of hell
Assault my soul in every part.
Yea more, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.
‘Lord, why is this?’ I trembling cried,
Wilt Thou pursue Thy worm to death?’
‘’Tis in this way,’ the Lord replied,
‘I answer prayer for grace and faith.
These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy;
That thou may’st seek thy all in me.’
|
