Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer

April 27: 2Samuel 2; 1Chronicles 11; Psalm 142; Matthew 14

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 14:22 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.

Observation: They had just fed 5000 people plus the women and children. Then Jesus “made”/constrained/compelled his disciples to get into a boat to “go before him to the other side.” I doubt that they knew they were being sent into a storm. However it was in the storm that Jesus came walking on the water. It was in the storm that Peter was invited to walk on the water also. It was in Jesus calming the storm that they came to confess, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (vs.33)

Application: More than once I have followed the will of God into a storm. More than once I have found Him with me in the storm. More than once I have seen Him at work, doing what only He could do. More than once He has made it possible to get to the other side. More than once, I too have come to say, “Truly you are the Son of God!”

Prayer: Lord, Living for you is not a “storm-less” life. It is in the storms that we discover you are the great Storm-Tamer. And if you send me into a storm I can count on you to get me to the other side. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!