I’ve spent a lot of time pondering standing fast in the face of opposition. It actually is the reason for my most recent Dyed4you Art piece called Stand Fast. And today as I was reading the word, God highlighted it to me again. Here’s Matthew 14:28-33:
And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Two things were specifically highlighted to me:
- He saw the wind and was afraid and doubted
- When he got back in the boat the wind stopped
You see Jesus could have stopped the wind if he wanted to, after all he’d done it before (Matthew 8:23-27). He ALLOWED the wind to blow to give Peter’s faith a chance to grow.
“Count it all joy… when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” – James 1:2-4
God gives us opportunities to grow – the implication there is that without the opportunities we would NOT grow. Or at least not as fast. So perhaps as you look at the challenges in your life filter them through the fact that those challenges are opportunities, not opposition. God is His infinite wisdom knows what we can handle and will walk through it all with us if we’re willing to walk and willing to be with Him.
Father God, thank You for giving us opportunities for our faith to grow. Thank You for Your patience with us as You give us opportunities to reject fear and doubt and to trust You completely regardless of what our circumstances are telling us. Help us keep our eyes fixed on You and our hearts set on Your promises – You are faithful. May we be fully persuaded that You are fully able to perform ANYTHING You’ve said. Thank You that You are steadfast. Help us be more like You.
That’s a good word! I too have had a lot of those opportunities in the last few years 🙂
Thanks Meghan. Truly a reminder we all need. I am facing things I’ve never faced before. It did cross my mind that God is using these situations to weed out stuff in my life. Also I have a sense that I must go through these things to learn…and I want to learn whatever God wants me to learn the first time. Lol God is using you to speak to the hearts of His people. God bless you.
We have new opportunities every day to grow our faith in Jesus!! Praise the Lord!! Green for growth!!
OH WOW – i just NOW saw the storm! I did not see that for the longest time! This is prophetic art…I see the Tree of Life (mebbie…), the rainbows…and LOOK at where the scarf flows out of — and where it goes…! Oh my – “Heavy Revvy” as we say ’round here. Excellent work, Meghan – very meaningful…
So many layers evident here. Thank you for preparing your heart to hear what the Spirit of the Lord has to say to His people.
One thing that I considered after reading your article/blog connected with your art piece is that both instances are singular in nature. We could say that Peter was by himself as he followed the Lords will. His experience of the wind and the waves or opposition have come and perhaps for a minute he lost sight of Jesus as he was walking towards him. When following God’s word in our lives we don’t always have someone else who has heard that same word who can encourage us to keep going.Peter didn’t have the other disciples in the boat cheering him,”Go on Peter! He said come.” In that sense I noticed that each is singular. In your art piece I notice the river of promise along with a one person. To me the river of promise in this piece represents the same thing as the direction of Jesus to Peter. “Come.”(Matt 14:29) To each individual that river says something different on an individual level. Our corresponding action in response to his promise serves as a sign and a wonder to those around us. In which through our obedience people will say, “Truly this Jesus you serve is the Son of God!”
Blessings
Scott
WOW ! Awesome and JUST what I needed to hear. We are going through ALOT right now and I know that GOd could deliver us but will we grow in our faith if HE does ? IDK so I am looking at this situation in a different way now ! Thanks Meghan !
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