“’Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’  ‘Come,’ he said.” – Matthew 14:28-29 (NIV)

The scene wasn’t entirely new to Peter and the disciples.  They had found themselves here before – out on the water as a storm came up, tossing their boat around.  The last time, Jesus had been on board with the disciples, sleeping peacefully as the storm raged.  That time, Jesus gently rebuked their lack of faith and calmed the storm.

Now, here they were again.  Another storm whipping these disciples around at sea.  But, this time, Jesus was not in the boat.  It’s little wonder that Peter was so excited to see Jesus out on the water.  He knew that, if anyone could save them from the maelstrom, it was Jesus.

He had done it before.  He could do it again.

The psalmist knew this as well:

Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name;
   make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
   tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name;
   let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Look to the LORD and his strength;
   seek his face always.

Remember the wonders he has done,
   his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
you his servants, the descendants of Abraham,
   his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.
He is the LORD our God;
   his judgments are in all the earth. – Psalm 105:1-7 (NIV)

When trouble comes – when the chips are down or we can’t see a way out of the storm that rages around us – it is easy to get dragged down by our problems.  Let me encourage you to keep your eyes on Jesus, and remember what God has done for you in the past.  Dwell on His Word and think about the times in the past when God has rescued you.  Consider what He has done for others as well.  Be encouraged, be refreshed, and look to the Lord – not the troubles. 

He’s been there for you before.  He’s here for you now.  He will never abandon you, for if you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you are a child of God, adopted firmly into HIs family.  Rest easy in the knowledge that the Lord God is never out of reach, never out of earshot of your prayers.  Even in the midst of the storms, remember what the Lord has done and look for Him.