Matthew 14:24-29

24But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. 25And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. 26When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”28Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 

When they heard Jesus’ voice, “It is I! Do not be afraid,” the disciples’ hearts became instantly calm. Although the waves persisted and the storm continued around them, merely hearing Jesus’ voice brought calm to their hearts. Likewise, when we face tough times, remember to first seek to listen to God’s voice before trying to address the problem ourselves – whether in work, family, health, or daily life. Rather than trying to find your own solutions, first seek God’s voice to find an internal calm before addressing external storms.

Today, we find that voice in the Bible. In tough times, turn to the Lord’s words for peace. Avoid reacting to the situation or blaming others. Take a moment and pray silently to yourself. Retreat to a quiet place, listen to His word through sermons, and read the Bible for a few days until you feel His calm enter your heart. Gain insights, repent, and grow. Your thoughts and being transform with His guidance. Believe that trials we face are sent by the Lord to help us recognize our sins and strengthen faith. When we hear the Lord’s voice, a calm enters our hearts, though the storm may rage around us because it no longer scares us. 

Just as the storm around them dissipates as Jesus enters the disciples’ boat, the Lord will calm not only the storm within us but also around us when we meet Him. But we must first listen for his voice and come to believe there is no danger which cannot be overcome and resolved through the Lord’s immense power. When we believe in the Lord’s power, obey His voice, admit our mistakes, and repent, the Lord comes to us. We can only do this. Others can’t do it for us. Do what the Lord directs you to do that you did not. Stop doing what He has told you not to do. What more simple direction can there be? Fix and repent, and the Lord will enter the boat with us bringing His awesome power to calm the storm around us right away.

When difficulties come into our lives, remember to always seek the Lord’s voice first, find peace, recognize mistakes, repent, and obey. When we do, the Lord joins us, solving both our inner and outer storms. Even when hard times ease, continue to turn to the Lord’s voice in the Bible for inner peace. Sin causes unrest, but repentance brings calm. Spend quiet time, read God’s word, and feel His calm. Insight comes, leading to repentance, change, and confidence. Transformation happens inside and around us, leading to complete resolution of any hardships we are facing and the power to face the storms which will arise in the future. 

Click for Korean sermon https://soundcloud.com/yhpaik/1985-1-28a