Faith Amidst Storms: Keeping Our Eyes on Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Walks on Water—Faith in the Midst of Storms

The story of Jesus walking on water reminds us that even when we are exactly where God wants us to be, we may still encounter storms and opposition. The disciples obeyed Jesus’ command to cross the lake, yet they found themselves struggling against fierce winds and waves. In the midst of their fear, Jesus came to them, walking on the water, and spoke words of comfort: “Take courage, I am here.” This miracle is not just about Jesus’ power over nature, but about His presence with us in our most difficult moments, inviting us to respond in faith rather than fear. [56:31]

Matthew 14:22-33 (ESV)
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel you are facing a storm despite following God’s direction? How can you invite Jesus into that situation today and respond with faith instead of fear?

Day 2: Jesus Sees and Knows Our Struggles

Even when we feel alone in our struggles, Jesus is watching over us and interceding for us. The Gospel of Mark tells us that while the disciples were straining at the oars, Jesus was on the land praying and saw that they were in trouble. He came to them at just the right moment, demonstrating that He is never distant or unaware of our pain. His presence brings comfort and courage, and He calls us to trust that He sees, He knows, and He cares deeply for us in every trial. [01:01:33]

Mark 6:47-50 (ESV)
And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

Reflection: When have you felt unseen or alone in your struggles? How does knowing that Jesus sees and prays for you change your perspective on your current challenges?

Day 3: Enduring Faith—Keeping Our Eyes on Jesus

Peter’s experience on the water teaches us that faith is not just about stepping out, but about enduring and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. When Peter focused on Jesus, he walked on water; when he looked at the wind and waves, he began to sink. Jesus’ words, “You have so little faith,” were not about the amount of faith, but about its endurance and quality. Faith that endures is faith that persists in trusting Jesus, even when circumstances are overwhelming. We are called to run our race with endurance by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. [01:08:06]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Reflection: What distractions or fears are pulling your attention away from Jesus right now? What practical step can you take today to refocus your heart and mind on Him?

Day 4: Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

To walk by faith means to live according to God’s promises and truth, not by what our natural senses tell us. When we focus on the storm, we become overwhelmed, but when we focus on Jesus and His Word, faith arises and we endure. Like Corrie Ten Boom, who learned to trust God in the darkest of storms, we are called to walk by faith, not by sight. This kind of faith is persistent, enduring, and rooted in the unchanging character of God, even when everything around us seems uncertain. [01:10:46]

2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)
For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Reflection: Think of a current situation where your senses or circumstances are telling you to give up hope. How can you choose to trust God’s promises over what you see or feel today?

Day 5: God Is Our Provider, Healer, and Redeemer

No matter what storm you are facing—whether it’s in your family, your health, your finances, or your heart—God promises to be your provider, healer, and redeemer. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in you, and nothing is impossible for Him. As you turn your eyes upon Jesus and stand on His promises, you can trust that He will supply all you need, bring restoration, and lead you through every trial. Take courage and declare His truth over your life, for He is faithful to fulfill His Word. [01:18:11]

Philippians 4:19 (ESV)
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: What is one specific need or area of brokenness in your life where you need God’s provision or healing? How can you stand on His promise and trust Him to meet that need today?

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus is on the story of Jesus walking on water, a moment that reveals not only His divinity but also the nature of faith in the midst of life’s storms. After feeding the five thousand, Jesus sent His disciples ahead by boat while He withdrew to pray. Despite following His instructions, the disciples found themselves battling a fierce storm, rowing through the night and struggling against the wind and waves. This reminds us that obedience to God does not exempt us from difficulties; storms can come even when we are exactly where God wants us to be.

While the disciples struggled, Jesus was on the land, praying and watching over them. He saw their distress and, in the darkest hour, came to them walking on the water. Instead of immediately calming the storm, He first addressed their fear, saying, “Take courage, I am here.” This declaration—“I am”—echoes the very name of God, assuring us of His presence in our trials. Jesus invited the disciples to respond in faith, not fear.

Peter, ever bold, asked Jesus to call him out onto the water. At Jesus’ word, Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water. Yet, when he shifted his focus from Jesus to the wind and waves, fear overtook him and he began to sink. Jesus rescued him, but gently rebuked him for his “little faith.” The issue was not the amount of faith, but its endurance—Peter’s faith faltered when he allowed the storm to become more real to him than Jesus’ word.

This story teaches that faith is not about denying the reality of storms, but about where we fix our gaze. When we focus on Jesus and His promises, faith endures and we can walk above the waves. When we focus on the storm, fear and doubt overwhelm us. Like Peter, and like Corrie Ten Boom in her darkest trials, we are called to lift our eyes to Jesus, trusting Him with our unknown future. The invitation is to step out in faith, keep our eyes on Him, and experience the miraculous—even when fear says we cannot.

Key Takeaways

1. Obedience to God does not guarantee a storm-free life. The disciples were exactly where Jesus told them to be, yet they encountered fierce opposition. Our faith journey will include seasons of difficulty, but these are not signs of God’s absence; rather, they are opportunities to encounter His presence and power in new ways. [60:21]
2. Jesus sees us in our struggles and is ever-present, even when we feel alone. While the disciples battled the storm, Jesus was praying and watching over them. He comes to us in our darkest moments, not always to remove the storm immediately, but to reveal Himself and invite us to trust Him more deeply. [61:33]
3. The quality of our faith matters more than its quantity. Jesus rebuked Peter not for having too little faith in size, but for faith that did not endure. Enduring faith keeps its eyes on Jesus, persevering through fear and doubt, and is sustained by His word rather than by the shifting circumstances around us. [66:22]
4. Our focus determines whether faith or fear dominates. When Peter looked at Jesus, he walked on water; when he looked at the storm, he began to sink. Faith is strengthened by fixing our attention on Jesus and His promises, while fear grows when we are consumed by the challenges and uncertainties of life. [69:56]
5. To experience the miraculous, we must step out in faith and persist in trust. The invitation is to “get out of the boat”—to move beyond comfort and security, trusting Jesus even when the outcome is uncertain. As we keep our eyes on Him, we find strength to endure, and we walk where fear says we cannot. [77:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[56:31] - Reading the Passage: Jesus Walks on Water
[57:51] - Context: After Feeding the 5,000
[59:03] - Jesus Sends the Disciples Ahead
[60:21] - Obedience and Unexpected Storms
[61:33] - Jesus Prays and Sees Their Struggle
[62:34] - Jesus Approaches: “Take Courage, I Am”
[63:57] - Peter’s Faith Response
[64:59] - Peter Walks, Then Sinks
[66:22] - The Nature of “Little Faith”
[68:06] - Shifting Focus: From Jesus to the Storm
[69:56] - Overwhelmed by the Storm
[70:46] - Corrie Ten Boom: Faith in the Darkest Storm
[73:01] - Personal Application: Speech and Focus
[74:04] - Enduring Faith vs. Doubt
[77:11] - Stepping Out: Walking Where Fear Says You Can’t
[78:11] - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus in Every Storm
[79:15] - Worship: “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”
[80:11] - Prayer for Endurance, Healing, and Provision
[83:00] - Encouragement and Benediction
[88:07] - Fellowship and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 14:22-33 (ESV) — 22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.
23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,
24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear.
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”
31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Observation Questions

What instructions did Jesus give the disciples before the storm began, and how did they respond? ([59:03])
According to the passage, what was Jesus doing while the disciples were struggling in the storm? ([01:01:33])
What did Jesus say to the disciples when He approached them on the water, and why is this significant? ([01:02:34])
What happened to Peter when he shifted his focus from Jesus to the wind and waves? ([01:04:59])

Interpretation Questions

The disciples were obeying Jesus’ direct command, yet they still faced a fierce storm. What does this suggest about the relationship between obedience and hardship in the Christian life? ([01:00:21])
Jesus didn’t calm the storm right away but first addressed the disciples’ fear. Why might Jesus choose to address fear before changing circumstances? ([01:02:34])
Jesus described Peter’s faith as “little faith.” According to the sermon, what does “little faith” mean in this context, and how is it different from having a small amount of faith? ([01:06:22])
The sermon mentioned that our focus determines whether faith or fear dominates. How does this principle play out in Peter’s experience and in our own lives? ([01:09:56])

Application Questions

Can you recall a time when you were doing exactly what you believed God wanted, but still faced unexpected difficulties? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? ([01:00:21])
When you are in the middle of a “storm,” do you tend to focus more on your circumstances or on Jesus’ presence and promises? What practical steps could help you shift your focus? ([01:09:56])
The sermon shared Corrie Ten Boom’s story about trusting God in the darkest storms. Is there an area of your life right now where you need to “lift your eyes to Jesus” instead of being overwhelmed by fear or doubt? ([01:10:46])
Jesus invited Peter to step out of the boat. What is one area in your life where you sense God is inviting you to step out in faith, even if it feels risky or uncomfortable? ([01:17:11])
The quality of faith is shown by its endurance, not its size. What are some ways you can build endurance in your faith when you feel like giving up? ([01:06:22])
The sermon mentioned that our speech often reveals our focus—whether on the storm or on Jesus. What is one way you can change your words this week to reflect trust in God’s promises? ([01:14:04])
Is there a specific “miraculous” outcome you are hoping for in your life? How can you keep your eyes on Jesus and persist in faith, even when fear says you cannot? ([01:17:11])

Sermon Clips

Peter was the only one who experienced that miracle of walking on the water. He's the only one that got out of the boat. The promise from Jesus is that he'll never leave us or forsake us. He's our ever -prisoned help in time of need. But he requires faith on our behalf. We need to get out of the boat to experience the miracle. [01:04:49] (29 seconds) #StepOutInFaith

Little faith here doesn't mean that Peter had a small amount of faith or that his faith or he didn't have enough faith. That's not what Jesus was talking about. Because Jesus says in the scriptures, you can have faith the size of a mustard seed and it'll move a mountain. So, this reference here is not about the size of his faith. It's really a reference, if you look to the Greek, it's referring to the quality rather than quantity of his faith. [01:07:13] (38 seconds) #FaithComesByHearing

The scripture tells us that we are to keep our eyes on Jesus because he is the author and the finisher of our faith and that's how we endure. Hebrews 12 says, let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. And we do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Amen? [01:09:14] (24 seconds) #OverwhelmedButFaithful

When you look at Jesus, faith dominates. When you take your attention off Jesus, your mind goes back to the realm, the natural realm and fear and doubt begin to dominate. Peter's faith was little because he didn't endure because of fear and doubt. And so, he began to sink. [01:09:56] (23 seconds) #TrustKnownGod

``What is the miraculous that you desire to walk in? Keep your eyes on Jesus and you will walk where fear says that you can't. Amen? Keep your eyes on Jesus and you'll walk where fear says you can't. [01:17:04] (23 seconds) #FocusOnJesusPromises

The scripture tells us the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you and he will quicken your mortal body, this body, right now. By his stripes you are healed. The scripture promises that he is Jehovah Jireh, your miraculous provider. He is the restorer and the redeemer of whatever situation, a relationship, a storm that you might be in. [01:18:36] (38 seconds)

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