Save me, Lord

Key Thought | Sometimes the storm isn’t a sign we missed God, It’s proof we followed Him.

Key Scripture | “But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. ‘Save me, Lord!’ he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him.” — Matthew 14:30–31 (NLT)

We all know this Bible story, but today as I read it, the Holy Spirit used it to speak directly to my heart. I pray what He showed me encourages you too.

Many of the storms we find ourselves in come because we obeyed His voice.

It’s easy to assume storms mean we did something wrong. But in this story, Jesus is the one who told the disciples to get into the boat and go to the other side. Between obedience and destination, there was a storm.

This wasn’t a storm caused by disobedience or an attack from the enemy. It was a storm that came because they listened to Jesus.

Following Jesus doesn’t eliminate storms. It often leads us straight into them. Storms don’t mean we’ve lost Him or misheard Him. They are part of the journey, and they grow our faith far more than calm waters ever could.

Storms reveal what quickly grabs our attention.

Peter does so much right. He ask to come to Jesus on the water, and he steps out of the boat. People give Peter a hard time but Peter walked on water. After a few steps the wind, the waves and storm caught his attention and he began to sink.

Man, if that’s not me, I don’t know what is.

So often, I get distracted by the storm instead of staying focused on Jesus. It sounds simple, until you’re in the middle of one. This story reminds us that if we entered the storm by following Him, the only way through it is keeping our eyes fixed on Him.

“Save me, Lord!” is a powerful prayer.

Even in his fear and distraction, Peter knew exactly who could save him. I believe with all my heart that sometimes Jesus will guide us into situation and moments that our only hope is Him.

Those moments remind us how fragile we are, and how strong He is. The storm may overwhelm us, but it never overwhelms Him. So often I get independent without even knowing it. A good storm exposes how quickly independence and pride can creep in, reminding us of our constant need for Jesus.

Jesus is so gracious.

When Peter cried out, Jesus responded immediately.

“Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him.” (Matthew 14:31)

I love that the scripture is clear. Jesus didn’t hesitate. He didn’t let Peter sink a little longer to teach him a lesson. He grabbed him right away.

Then Jesus asked a question that’s still echoing in my heart:
“Why did you doubt me?”

Today, I hear Jesus asking me the same thing.
“Aaron, why did you doubt me?”

And my honest answer is this:
“I took my eyes off You and got distracted by the storm.”

Prayer | Jesus, when the winds are loud and the waves feel overwhelming, help me keep my eyes on You. Forgive me for the moments I doubt Your presence and power. Teach me to cry out quickly and trust You fully. Thank You for being a Savior who reaches for me immediately. Amen.

Reflections

• What storm are you currently facing, and did it come from following Jesus?
• What has been stealing your attention more than Jesus lately?
• How quickly do you turn to “Save me, Lord” when fear rises?

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