In Matthew 14:22-34 we read a popular story. Jesus sends His disciples in a ship before Him while He goes to pray alone. Suddenly, a great storm arises. The Bible says in verse 24, "the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary." Then Jesus goes walking to them on the sea. He calls Peter to come to Him, walking on the water, and he does, but soon begins to sink because of fear and circumstance. Then Jesus calmed the storm (vs. 31-32), and the disciples were amazed. The verse that stuck out to me was after these events, in verse 34. It says, "And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret." How did this verse stick out, you might ask? Well, Gennesaret means, "a harp". Isn't that interesting? What do I do with a harp? I worship (Rev 5:8; 14:2)!
True disciples will become worshipers in their affliction and calamity. They will be bettered, not bittered. What would potentially drive an ordinary man crazy with grief is actually an avenue towards increase, for the disciple of Christ! Paul said, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Cor 4:17). We all go through difficulties and the "storms" of life, but if we're true disciples of Christ, we will become worshipers in our trials. The multitudes of Jesus' day came for bread and healing, but then went home. The disciples, however, were asked to get in the boat (the place of God's dealings). That may sound hard to endure, but never forget: it's in the boat that you SEE HIM walking on water! AMEN! And the fruit of such a sight is so glorious: a worshipful heart and lifestyle will be birthed in you. Isn't that worth it?
Friend, I believe this principle with all of my heart! In fact, I personally believe that harps are earned... Notice the great trial and victory that we see here in the following verse; And notice the result of such a trial and victory: they possessed a harp! "And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God" (Rev 15:2). For the true disciple, the result of gross calamity will always be genuine worship. David said, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes" (Ps 119:71). Disciples are assured that such trial and tribulation is at work IN them for a divine purpose, and thus, they are able to lay their lives down at the altar, and pay their adoration to the Lamb! What a beautiful thing.
Ps 138:7-8 "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands."
Will we allow our personal struggles and storms to perfect and mature us? Let's be made better, not bitter!
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