Trusting God Through Life's Storms and Transformations

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus is Sovereign Over Every Storm

No matter what storms you face—whether loss, betrayal, or uncertainty—Jesus is present and sovereign over every situation. Even when you feel alone or overwhelmed, He is with you, never leaving nor forsaking you. The disciples, some of whom were seasoned fishermen, found themselves in a storm they could not control, yet Jesus came to them, walking on the water, demonstrating His authority over creation and the chaos of life. In your own storms, you are invited to trust that Jesus is not only aware of your struggle but is Lord over it, working in ways you may not see or understand. [10:26]

Matthew 14:22-27 (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.”

Reflection: What is one storm in your life right now where you need to remember that Jesus is present and sovereign, even if you cannot see Him at work?

Day 2: Jesus Invites Us to Step Out in Faith

When Jesus calls, He invites you to step out of your comfort zone, leaving behind your self-reliance and perceived strengths. Peter, a fisherman who knew the waters well, chose to trust Jesus over his own abilities, stepping out of the boat and onto the water. This act of faith was not about Peter’s skill, but about his willingness to focus on Jesus and trust Him above all else. In your own life, Jesus may be calling you to take a step that feels risky or unfamiliar, asking you to trust Him more than your own understanding or resources. [20:53]

Matthew 14:28-29 (ESV)
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.

Reflection: What is one area where Jesus is inviting you to step out in faith beyond your comfort or abilities, and what would it look like to say “yes” to Him today?

Day 3: Jesus is Lord in Our Doubt and Weakness

Even when faith falters and doubt creeps in, Jesus remains Lord and reaches out with compassion. Peter began to sink when he saw the wind and became afraid, but in his moment of weakness, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately, Jesus reached out His hand and caught him, not with harshness but with tenderness, reminding him—and us—that He is present in our doubts as much as in our faith. When you feel split between trust and fear, remember that Jesus is near, ready to lift you up and walk with you through the storm. [27:54]

Matthew 14:30-31 (ESV)
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?”

Reflection: When you find yourself doubting or overwhelmed, what would it look like to honestly cry out to Jesus and let Him meet you in that place?

Day 4: God is Doing a New Thing—Surrender and Transformation

God desires not just to rescue you from storms, but to transform your heart and do a new thing within you. Through the storms and challenges, He invites you to surrender your old ways of self-reliance and pride, allowing Him to implant a new heart that beats in rhythm with His. This surrender is not partial but total, trusting that He is making a way even in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. As you turn your eyes to Jesus, He promises to be with you, redeem you, and create something new in your life. [34:22]

Isaiah 43:1-2, 18-19, 25 (ESV)
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. … Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. … I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”

Reflection: What is one old pattern or “boat” of self-reliance you need to surrender so God can do a new thing in your heart this week?

Day 5: Worship Flows from Recognizing Jesus as the Son of God

When you see Jesus for who He truly is—the sovereign Lord, the one who walks with you through every storm—worship becomes the natural response. The disciples, after witnessing Jesus’ power and presence, worshipped Him, declaring, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Worship is not just a ritual, but a heartfelt response to the God who saves, transforms, and loves you. As you reflect on His faithfulness, let your heart be moved to gratitude and praise, allowing Him to speak to your heart and shape your life. [29:54]

Matthew 14:32-33 (ESV)
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: How can you intentionally pause today to worship Jesus—not just with words, but with your heart—because of who He is and what He has done in your life?

Sermon Summary

Life is full of both peaceful moments and intense storms—times when we feel secure and times when we are battered by loss, doubt, or fear. In all of these, God remains present, powerful, and sovereign. The story in Matthew 14, where Jesus walks on water and calls Peter out of the boat, reveals not only Christ’s authority over the chaos of our lives but also His deep desire for us to trust Him, even when our instincts are to retreat, self-protect, or rely on our own abilities. Jesus is not just a miracle worker or a distant deity; He is the “I AM”—the God of the Old Testament, present in flesh, who commands the wind and the waves and who never leaves us, even when we feel alone.

The disciples, many of whom were seasoned fishermen, found themselves in a storm they could not overcome. Despite their experience and skills, they were tormented and afraid. Jesus sent them into the storm, knowing what awaited them, to teach them a new way of responding—not by reverting to old habits of self-reliance, but by fixing their eyes on Him. Peter’s willingness to step out of the boat, leaving behind his comfort and expertise, is a model for us. Faith means stepping into the unknown, trusting that Jesus is Lord not only when we are strong but also when we are weak and doubting.

When Peter faltered, overwhelmed by the wind and waves, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out, not with judgment, but with compassion, walking with Peter through the storm back to safety. This is the heart of God: not to remove every storm instantly, but to walk with us through them, shaping our hearts and deepening our trust. The storms of life are not just obstacles; they are opportunities for God to do a new thing in us, to implant His heart within us, and to teach us to see as He sees.

God’s sovereignty is not just a theological concept—it is a living reality. He is with us in every circumstance, inviting us to surrender our self-sufficiency and trust Him fully. As we do, we discover that He is not only able to calm the storm but also to transform our hearts, making us more like Him.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Sovereignty Is Personal and Present God’s sovereignty is not distant or abstract; it is intimately involved in every detail of our lives. He is the “I AM,” the ever-present One who walks with us through every storm, never leaving us alone, even when we cannot feel His presence. This truth anchors us in both our peaceful and troubled times, reminding us that our circumstances are never outside His control. [03:51]
2. Storms Are Opportunities for Transformation The storms we face—whether caused by our own choices, the actions of others, or simply the brokenness of the world—are not wasted. God allows us to enter these storms, not to punish us, but to teach us to trust Him in new ways. In the midst of chaos, He invites us to step out of our old patterns of self-reliance and discover the deeper security found in Him alone. [07:23]
3. Faith Means Stepping Out of the Boat Peter’s decision to leave the safety of the boat and walk toward Jesus is a powerful picture of faith. True faith often requires us to move beyond what is familiar and comfortable, surrendering our abilities and control to God. It is in these moments of risk and vulnerability that we experience the reality of Christ’s lordship and His sufficiency for every need. [19:50]
4. God Meets Us in Our Doubt and Weakness Doubt is not the opposite of faith, but often a part of the journey. When Peter began to sink, Jesus did not rebuke him harshly but reached out with compassion, walking with him through the storm. God’s response to our weakness is not condemnation, but a gentle reminder of His faithfulness and a call to keep our eyes fixed on Him. [27:54]
5. Surrender Opens the Door to a New Heart God desires more than outward obedience; He wants to implant His heart within us, transforming us from the inside out. The storms and struggles we face are invitations to surrender fully, allowing Him to do a new thing in us. As we trust Him with every part of our lives, we begin to reflect His love, courage, and faithfulness to the world around us. [32:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:43] - God’s Presence in Every Storm
[03:51] - Defining God’s Sovereignty
[05:45] - Jesus’ Example of Prayer and Preparation
[07:23] - Why We Face Storms
[09:34] - The Disciples’ Experience and Struggle
[10:26] - Jesus Walks on Water: Old Testament Connections
[13:40] - The Emotional and Spiritual Toll of Storms
[15:07] - Jesus’ Assurance: “I AM”
[16:12] - Personal Story: Trusting God in Uncertainty
[18:58] - Shifting Focus from Self to Christ
[19:50] - Peter Steps Out in Faith
[22:40] - Learning New Patterns of Trust
[24:54] - God’s Promises in Isaiah 43
[25:54] - Faith and Doubt: Peter’s Struggle
[27:54] - Jesus’ Compassion in Our Weakness
[29:10] - Walking with Jesus Through the Storm
[29:54] - Worship and Recognition of Christ
[31:54] - God’s Desire to Transform Our Hearts
[32:39] - Responding to God’s Invitation
[34:22] - God’s New Covenant and Our Surrender

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.”

Isaiah 43:1-2, 18-19 (ESV) — 1 But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
...
18 “Remember not the former things,
nor consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.

Observation Questions

What did Jesus do immediately after feeding the 5,000, and what did he tell his disciples to do? (Matthew 14:22-23)
How did the disciples react when they saw Jesus walking on the water, and what did Jesus say to them? (Matthew 14:26-27)
What was Peter’s response to Jesus, and what happened when Peter stepped out of the boat? (Matthew 14:28-30)
According to Isaiah 43, what does God promise when we pass through waters and fire?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus sent the disciples into the boat, knowing a storm was coming? What might he have wanted them to learn?
The sermon says that Peter’s willingness to step out of the boat is a model for us. What does it mean to “step out of the boat” in the context of faith?
When Peter began to sink, how did Jesus respond, and what does this show us about God’s heart toward our doubts and weaknesses?
The sermon connects the story to Isaiah 43, where God says, “I am doing a new thing.” How might storms in our lives be opportunities for God to do something new in us?

Application Questions

The disciples were experienced fishermen, yet they found themselves in a storm they couldn’t handle. Can you think of a time when your own skills or experience weren’t enough to get you through a difficult situation? How did you respond?
The sermon talks about our tendency to retreat, self-protect, or rely on our own abilities during storms. What are some “boats” (places of comfort or self-reliance) you tend to stay in when life gets hard? What would it look like to step out in faith this week?
Peter cried out, “Lord, save me!” when he started to sink. Is there an area of your life right now where you need to cry out to Jesus for help instead of trying to fix it yourself?
The sermon says that Jesus doesn’t always remove the storm right away, but walks with us through it. How have you experienced God’s presence in the middle of a difficult season, even if the situation didn’t change immediately?
God’s sovereignty is described as personal and present, not distant or abstract. How does knowing that God is with you in every circumstance change the way you face challenges?
The storms of life are described as opportunities for transformation, not just obstacles. Can you share about a time when a hard season led to growth or a deeper trust in God?
The sermon ends with the idea that God wants to implant His heart in us, not just change our behavior. What is one area where you sense God inviting you to surrender more fully to Him? What step could you take this week to respond to that invitation?

Sermon Clips

He's using some very specific imagery from the Old Testament to show that he is God wrapped in the flesh. He is the ever-present, all-knowing, all-powerful God who controls the wind and the waves. [00:11:32] (15 seconds) #StepOutInFaith

Jesus is saying, I am that God who is, who has always been, and will be. I am there with you. Take heart. Be encouraged. Do not be afraid. Don't take your emotional fears in your storm and let them turn them into a phobia, which is the word he uses here. A phobia, which drives you further away from God. Jesus is saying, I'm here. It's okay. I got you. I know it's scary, but I got you. [00:15:07] (30 seconds) #LetGoAndTrustGod

And what I learned was, take the eyes off myself. Put my eyes on Jesus. Peter, in this story, recognizes, this is interesting because I think most people, they kind of, they bash Peter for his doubt here. But Jesus is sovereign over all of our storms. He's also sovereign over our doubts. [00:18:58] (25 seconds) #WorshipInTheStorm

Peter, in his faith, stepped out of the boat, and he walked on the water to Jesus. For he's doing a new thing. Because normally, I would stay in that boat. Peter's a waterman. Peter is a fisherman. Peter knows these waters. He's been doing it for nine hours. But everyone in that boat is tormented. They're scared. So Peter's like, hey, why don't we look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and see him as God that can control all of this, instead of me trying to control it. And I say, good on Peter. Peter did the right thing here. He stepped out of the protection of his boat, and he also stepped out of his own abilities, abilities, and his security on who he is. And he gave that up, and he said, nope, I'm going to focus on Jesus. [00:20:16] (50 seconds) #GodSpeaksToTheHeart

Let's be more prone to trust God in those good times when you're sitting on your deck, and it's beautiful. Thank him for that. But also in the storms of life. Let's have a new skill. Let's get back to a better fundamental of looking to Jesus during those times as well, because he's our rock and our fortress. Don't be afraid to get out of that boat and trust him. It's comfortable in there. You know it, but you're getting beaten by the wind, and you're tormented. Let's try something different. [00:24:10] (26 seconds) #SurrenderToSovereignty

But here's what we do know. Jesus reached out and grabbed his hand. And then Jesus walked through the storm with him back to the boat. So he's not going to leave you in the storm. But he's also not going to immediately rescue us either. He's going to walk with us to that place of safety. And we should remember that. And we should use that to worship him. [00:29:18] (23 seconds)

And those in the boat, all the disciples, whether it was 12 or 50, we don't know. But it was a group of people. And those in the boat, what did they do? They worshipped him, saying, truly, you are the son of God. They got it. They saw him walking on the water. They knew their Old Testament. They knew this whole thing about God being Lord over the water. And they go, oh, we got it now. You're not just a food reproducer. You're not just someone who does a weird thing walking on water. You truly are the one, true, all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present God. And you're here with us in good times and in the storms. And he's doing a new thing. He's teaching us a new thing. And it's a beautiful thing. [00:29:56] (48 seconds)

``It is maybe new to you, but he planned a long time ago that we'd be here today to read the story about a great God who reached his hand out to Peter, he's reached his hand out to you in your storm, and just saying, look at me, put your eyes on me, follow me, because I love you, and I'm going to die for you, and I'm going to make a place for you in heaven. And all I need you to do is cry out as Peter did, Lord, save me. It's not just physical. This is also spiritual as well. [00:35:16] (35 seconds)

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