Tag: Disciples

Faith in Your Distressing Times

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David Wilkersonby David Wilkerson

Of all people, God’s saints should be shining examples of what it means to live in peace and triumph in these fearful days. He has given us an ironclad promise for life on this earth, especially when the enemy of our soul tries to walk over us. “My people shall know My name; therefore they shall know in that day that I am He who speaks: ‘Behold, it is I’” (Isaiah 52:6).

In other words, God is saying, “When you’re in your darkest trial, I will come and speak a word to you. You’ll hear me say, ‘It is I, don’t be afraid.’”

In the New Testament, Jesus reiterated this promise on many occasions, one of the most familiar instances being when he spoke to the disciples who were out on the boat in an awful storm. As the boat was being tossed about by wind and waves, the panicked men saw Jesus walking toward them on the water. Scripture says, “When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’” (Matthew 14:26).

Jesus immediately spoke to them, eager to ease their fears: “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid” (14:27). The word cheer means to be happy, relieved. And here, in the disciples’ time of distress, Jesus tied the word to his identity. Remember, these men knew him personally and he expected them to act on his word by faith. He was saying, “The Father has promised that I’ll come to you in your storm, and now I’ve come. Yes, it’s me, Jesus, here with you in the midst of it all. So, cheer up!”

The Lord expects the same faith reaction from us in our distressing times. Think about it. Our Lord has never once failed his people. He urges us to look back and remember how he has delivered us time after time, in every instance. He has never allowed the enemy to destroy those who trust him.

The Lord longs for us to find our fulfillment in him and trust him completely. King David said, “All my springs are in you” (Psalm 87:7), meaning, “All my satisfaction is found in you, Lord. You alone are the wellspring of my fulfillment and you are all I need to be complete, joyful, happy and at peace.”

by David Wilkerson

Recognizing Jesus in the Storm

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David Wilkersonby David Wilkerson

Jesus ordered his disciples into a boat that was headed for a collision. The Bible said, “Jesus made His disciples get into the boat” (Matthew 14:22) — which was headed for troubled waters. It would be tossed about like a bobbing cork and Jesus knew it all along.

Where was Jesus? Up in the mountains overlooking that sea, praying for the disciples that they would not fail the test he knew they must go through. The boat trip, the storm, the tossing waves, the winds were all part of a trial the Father had planned. The disciples were about to learn the greatest lesson they would ever learn: how to recognize Jesus in the storm.

Up to this point, they recognized Jesus as the miracle worker, the Man who turned loaves and fishes into miracle food. They recognized him as the friend of sinners and the supplier of their needs. They even recognized him as the Son of God and the one who taught them how to pray, to forgive, and to bind and loose. But those who thought they really knew Jesus best did not recognize him when the storm hit.

That is the root of many problems today. We trust Jesus for miracles, believe him for our salvation, and look to him to supply our needs, but when it seems like everything is falling apart, we are never quite sure he is nearby.

“The boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out for fear” (Matthew 14:24-26). Here is the danger we all face — not being able to see Jesus in our troubles.

Jesus always draws near to us to reveal himself as the Savior in storms. He wants you to trust him in every storm of your life. That is what the presence of Jesus is all about!

by David Wilkerson