Trusting God by Lynda Leeson

What do Max Lucado (whom I watch every Sunday morning before going to church) and David Manley (my Care Group leader) have in common? So glad you asked. Both are spiritual leaders in my life, and both taught on trust and brought me to this point this week. Max is actually doing a series on Joshua but veered to the disciples crossing the lake in the storm last Sunday morning. David alluded to it as well. Consider this scripture:

Matthew 14:22
New Living Translation (NLT)
Jesus Walks on Water

22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home.

For the above word insisted, Holman’s translation says made and the Amplified uses directed. The point is, Jesus told them to get in the boat and go to the other side knowing that a storm would come.  That statement will take you to more scriptures than you can look up I’ll bet. We are promised storms in our lives. It’s a given! 

Reading on:
Matthew 14:24-27
New Living Translation (NLT)

24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.
25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 
26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!

There are 3 interesting things here:

• Jesus came to them, walking on the water. 
• They didn’t recognize Him and were afraid.
• Jesus told them, “Take courage because I am here.”

Doesn’t Jesus always come to us in our hour of need? Of course He does. Then the question is...why do we still doubt? Could it be fear that this time it won’t work and He won’t show up?

It certainly is true that I don’t always recognize The Lord in my circumstances. I find myself fighting flesh and blood, spending time being fearful, and indulging in major ifs and buts. Jesus has instructed throughout the Word to take courage because He is with us. The I am used in verse 27 could actually be translated the I AM as used in Exodus 3:14.

So, how do we sum this up?  Let’s let the Apostle Paul do it for us:

Romans 5:3-5
New Living Translation (NLT)

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 
4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 
5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Jesus has insisted that we trust Him and considering all the times He has shown Himself faithful and given us numerous promises, how can we do any less?

Sit back and take a stroll down memory lane while listening to The Imperials sing He Didn’t Bring Us This Far to Leave Us.   

http://youtu.be/t29ENes4qRQ