Who do we see in the storm?

Matthew 14(22 – 28) tells us that the disciples were in their boat in the middle of a lake (3 miles from shore) between 3 – 6 in the morning. The disciples were exhausted after rowing for hours against the wind and were probably going nowhere fast. Then Jesus comes along and is mistaken for a ghost. Jesus then says "Don’t be afraid. It is I." The phrase "It is I" also means "I am." It was the normal response of a person identifying themselves, but with Jesus it takes on special significance. Here He is identifying himself to them as the one who can walk on the water, i.e. God. He will use the phrase later on in the Garden of Gethsemane and knock the soldiers back with the power of His words. It always seemed that whenever the disciples got into their boat they were surely heading for a test of faith. We can feel like that too. We are desiring to move forward but the wind of resistance seems to face us. These circumstances raise a cry from our hearts to the Great I Am who by the force of His words; calms the wind and secures our hope. God identifies with us in the storms of life. He comes to remind us that He has full control.