Where is Your Faith?
[Inspired by a message by Sis. Connie Shepherd of Doniphan, Missouri.]

You’re in a violent storm. The shoreline is obliterated by the wind-driven deluge. Towering waves swamp your little boat and threaten your life. All your previous experience is no match for this foe, Herculean strength can’t bail fast enough. Fear rises in your throat like bile.

Look again! Do you see it? There’s a light in the distance. You rub your eyes and wonder, “Am I seeing things?” But no! It is there – and it’s coming closer. Your boat heaves and lurches but your eyes are riveted on that approaching light. You nudge the one next to you when you realize it’s not something – it’s someone! Then you recognize Jesus! He’s walking on the waves toward you!

His voice comes clear above the roar of the storm, “Fear not!”

“Oh Lord, is it really You?” your voice quivers.

And His reply is reassuring, “It is I.”

“If it’s really You, bid me come to You.” The words tumble out without forethought. Your mind can’t believe what you’ve just said.

Jesus speaks only one word – “Come!”

As if in a dream, you step out of the tossing boat and onto the surface of the stormy sea. One foot, then the other… step, step, step. “Wow!” you think, “Look what I’m doing!” You glance around, “Is this real?” You see the waves, the wind-driven rain, the depth of the darkness, the peril you’re in. All of a sudden, you think again, “Look what I’m doing!” and, “This is impossible!” In that moment your body begins to sink. Panic stricken, you cry out, “Lord, save me!”

Just that quick, He reaches out and takes you by the hand. You and He continue toward the still tossing boat. “Oh Peter,” He sighs, “where is your faith?”

As you both step into the boat, the howling wind abruptly ceases and the clouds dissipate. The moon shines a silvery path; stars are mirrored on the face of the now calm water. Lights twinkle on the shoreline and peace reigns.

You turn and bow low in awed worship, “Truly, You are the Son of God!”

Fast forward… Today’s headlines tout doom, gloom and despair. Mega-global financial problems feed a seething pot of political unrest and perplexity. Rampaging weather, raging seas, earthquake, fire and flood bring upheaval, death and destruction. New disconcerting stories surface every day. Homes are at risk, financial hopes evaporate, unseen forces threaten your health. Children face unbelievable pressures now and a bleak tomorrow. You feel overwhelmed and helpless in the face of it all.

But an important lesson is crystallized in the words, “Where is your faith?” If it is in your own strength or in the things of this world, it’s misplaced – for all these are destined to perish, either with the using or in the storms that assail.

Two kinds of faith co-exist – negative and positive. Both are powerful, both speak to outlooks and outcomes.

Hitler’s negative faith-filled utterances deceived many and brought unspeakable horror, World War and devastation.

David’s positive faith-filled words defeated Goliath and exalted God in the face of fear and unbelief. And the faith-filled words of the three Hebrew children honored God’s commands above those of an angry earthly king. As a result, God honored their faith.

Young David's victory put the entire Philistine army to flight. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego walked out of the fiery furnace unharmed, without even the smell of smoke. Each was a living testimony to the kind of faith God blesses.

Life brings many kinds of storms. Some are Goliaths, others are angry kings and/or fiery furnaces. The question is, where is your faith? At what are you looking? The words you speak into your situation are powerful. If you take your eyes off Jesus and place them anywhere else, negative faith will drown you.

But when your faith and your words focus on God’s Word and His promise, victory is assured. Whether the storm ceases or not, over HIM the storm and the waves have no power. With HIM you will walk on the stormy waves in perfect peace!