Basic HTML Version
Night on the Lake
227
The Storm Within the Disciples’ Hearts
The memory of that precious, glorious day should have filled
them with faith and hope, but they had forgotten it all. Their thoughts
were stormy and unreasonable, and the Lord gave them something
else to afflict their souls and occupy their minds. God often does
this when people create burdens and troubles for themselves. The
disciples had no need to make trouble. Already danger was fast
approaching.
A violent storm had been silently coming their way, and they
were unprepared for it. It was a sudden contrast, and when the gale
struck they were afraid. They forgot their resentments, unbelief, and
impatience. Everyone worked to keep the boat from sinking. In
ordinary weather, the journey took only a few hours, but now they
were driven farther from where they were going. They labored at the
oars until around three o’clock in the morning. Then the weary men
gave themselves up for lost. Helpless, they longed for the presence
of their Master.
The Watcher on the shore saw those fear-stricken men battling
with the tempest. With deepest care His eyes followed the storm-
tossed boat with its precious burden, for these men were to be the
[172]
light of the world. When their hearts were subdued and their unholy
ambition silenced, and in humility they prayed for help, it was given
them.
At the moment when they believed themselves lost, a gleam of
light revealed a mysterious figure approaching on the water. But they
thought that the One who had come for their help was an enemy.
Terror overpowered them. Hands that had grasped the oars with
muscles like iron let go. The boat rocked at the will of the waves; all
eyes were riveted on this vision of a man walking on the whitecapped
billows of the foaming sea.
They thought it was a phantom that was a sign of their destruc-
tion, and they cried out in fear. Jesus kept walking as if He would
pass them, but they recognized Him and begged for His help. His
voice silenced their fear: “It is I; do not be afraid.”
As soon as they could believe this wonderful fact, Peter called
out, “‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’
So He said, ‘Come.’”