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. 30But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!” Matthew 14:25-33

The disciples feared the storm, but hearing Jesus’ voice brought them peace, and His presence calmed the waves. Likewise, studying the Bible can comfort us in tough times, helping us understand what to do and shed selfish desires that may distance us from God. As we continue learning, our true, God-centered self grows, drawing us closer to Him.

When God is within us—like the disciples hearing Jesus’ voice—we can sense the right thing to do in every situation. His presence motivates us to avoid wrongdoing and to seek His joy, filling us with peace. Reading the Bible reveals where we fall short and helps us see from God’s perspective. Recognizing our mistakes, we repent and seek His forgiveness, leading to changes we may not even notice. This process weakens our old, self-centered ways and strengthens our new, God-centered self. Gradually, we gain clarity on what’s right, focusing on God’s approval rather than others’.

When God is with us—just as Jesus entered the disciples’ boat and calmed the storm—He helps us navigate life’s challenges, replacing our complaints with hope. Before facing a tough situation or difficult person, we can turn to the Bible and pray. This opens us up to take responsibility, seek resolution, and work for peace, even if it feels like a personal loss. God’s presence influences circumstances, aligning them in our favor. We become more willing to apologize and make things right, adopting a righteous mindset. Often, we find that even those who once opposed us are softened by God’s influence, wanting resolution and reconciliation. When God is with us, we will discover that all creation moves to support us.

Faithful obedience is the key to receiving God’s blessings. To live righteously, we must let go of our old self, discarding worldly wisdom which often contradicts God’s guidance. While worldly knowledge has value, it should not be our primary guide; instead, we should live by God’s Word, using earthly wisdom to fulfill His will. Those who understand this embrace the gift of trusting and obeying God. True righteousness comes from His presence within us, bringing resolution to our challenges. This is the heart of salvation, beginning when we seek God in life’s storms.

When you’re facing a storm, seek God first by turning to the Bible. Whether stress comes from our own mistakes or others’ actions, the Bible is the best source of peace. Create a calm space, read the Bible, listen to sermons, and reflect on God’s word through prayer. As we draw closer to God, our small worries—like anger or fear—lose their grip. The Holy Spirit fills us with hope, and the Lord’s mighty power comes to our aid.

Please click here for Korean sermon https://soundcloud.com/yhpaik/1985-2-3-sunday-pm-12