"Sent Into the Storm, Yet Seen"

The next four devotions are based on the story found in Matthew 14:22-33

Part 1: Sent Into the Storm, Yet Seen

Sometimes, even when we are walking in obedience, storms can arise in life. The journey isn't always smooth just because we follow the path laid out for us; in fact, the text suggests that God Himself may deliberately send us into difficult situations. This isn't because He is tempting us with evil – He never does that. Instead, tests come for profound reasons: to expose our own limitations, our powerlessness when relying solely on ourselves, our failures, and our shortcomings. They also come to reveal His immeasurable power and might. We need these moments to gain a clearer perspective of ourselves and a deeper understanding of Him.

Consider the disciples, who were sent into a storm while obeying Jesus. The text notes that Jesus knew how hard the storm would be, knew their strengths and weaknesses, yet still directed them to go. This deliberate sending was not a sign of neglect but part of a larger purpose. What a comfort to know that even as God directs us into challenging circumstances, He sees us every step of the way. We are never outside of His vision. Though we may feel isolated or distant, He is watching. He knew every disappointment, every discouragement, every tear, and every difficult path we would face even before we embarked on the journey of faith. This awareness is coupled with constant prayer for us. Knowing that He both sends us and sees us in the storm can bring foundational peace.