August 26, 2024 Devo

Have you ever found yourself sometimes saying, “God, where ARE you?” Especially in those times when you feel as if you’ve been doing everything He wants you to do. You’ve been serving. You’ve been helping. You’ve been sacrificing. You’ve been acting very Jesus-like in every way that you know. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, here comes these problems, storms, or troubles. It’s like, “What the heck, God? I’ve been doing MY part. Do YOURS!”
I have to believe the disciples felt a bit like this in our passage today. They had been traveling with Jesus and doing ministry. They left their homes and families behind. They were with Him as He healed the hurting. They helped Him organize and feed the multitudes. They collected the leftovers and did EVERYTHING He asked them to do. Finally, when the massive miracle feast was over, Jesus told them to get in the boat and go on ahead. Catch that. JESUS told them to get in the boat and go on ahead. Now they’re a long way from land, fighting strong winds and huge waves. My guess is they were feeling a bit abandoned and frustrated. Jesus was there for the masses. But where was Jesus when THEY needed Him?
Two great lessons here for us. One is the fact that just because we’re obedient Christians and doing the work of God it doesn’t mean it’ll always be easy. Sometimes it’s hard—even REALLY hard. Strong winds of resistance and times of trouble are a part of the journey. Deal with it. The second lesson is the one the disciples were about to learn. Jesus is on His way. It’s not as if He was oblivious to the weather. Jesus isn’t surprised by the quickly changing circumstances of life. They were out at sea in this storm, but so was He. They just couldn’t see Him yet.
Hang onto that. Those of you who have been feeling a bit abandoned or a bit unappreciated because it seems as if God’s not doing His part. Take a moment to breathe. Your storm and your trials are no different than anyone else’s. Rough waters are part of the journey. But take heart. Right now, out there in your darkness, just past the horizon of what you can see, there’s help that you don’t know about. You’re not alone, and you’re not forgotten. Just beyond the wave that’s scaring you to death is the answer to your prayer. Jesus is on His way. That’s God’s Word for you today.