Wait on Him at all times

Wait on Him at all times – Psalm 62:8

Faith is a permanent duty, a privilege (right of exclusive enjoyment for a fixed term of a perpetual procedure). We should trust both when we can see and when we are "totally" in the "dark."

I. Trusting God is the elevated act or exercise.

A. The faith by which the one who loves looks to God.

1. We have to throw ourselves upon His goodness, power, promises, faithfulness, and providence, "is lifted upon 'carnal' fears and discouragements, above unsettling doubts, and perplexities” (perplexed, confusion, doubt as to what should be done, hesitations), or to obtain and continue in what is good to prevent or remove that which is evil.

2. "Wait on Him at all times, O peoples; " pour out your heart before Him.

3. "According to our love, so shall our faith be" and "trust in God"; "And according to our confidence so shall be our liberty on the throne of grace."

4. It is trusting Him and pouring out your heart before Him; 'Tear it down like water', 'in tears of joy'.

5. For when the stone of your heart is melted by mercy, your eyes will flow like a fountain of tears.

6. Make Him your counselor and friend; you can please Him only when your heart trusts Him completely.

7. You can tell Him, if you will, that you have been so foolish to go to this friend or that one for relief and have found none; and that now you come to Him, who commands you: Pour out your heart before Him.

8. (Matthew 14:22-33) The disciples were seeing miracles in Jesus because He could meet their needs.

9. Now they discover that He is the One who can also "protect" them and "give them strength."

10. Jesus dismissed the crowd, sent the disciples to enter "in the boat" and go before Him to the other bank (shore) of the lake.

11. Then He went up a mountain to pray."

12. When night came, He was there alone. (sunset).

13. (Matthew 14:24-27) Meanwhile, "the boat was already" far from the earth (shore) and whipped by "a contrary wind."

14. As the waves beat the boat, Jesus saw the predicament of the disciples.

15. At the fourth vigil of the night (from 3 to 6 a.m.), Jesus came to them walking by the sea."

16. Thinking it was "a ghost," and the disciples were "terrified" (afraid).

17. But on the spot they "heard the reassuring voice" of their Master and Friend; listen to the voice of your Master and Friend: "Take courage; it's I, fear not!"

18. We are often battered by the storm; full of perplexity, desperate.

19. The Savior seems far away.

20. But at all times He is praying for us.

21. When the night seems darkest, He is near.

22. We are often confused by His divine presence and filled with dread.

23. Then we hear His reassuring voice and remember that the waves we have been led to fear "are under His feet."

24. (Matthew 14:28) When "Peter heard the voice well known and well loved," his affection and enthusiasm overflowed (exaggeratedly full, pouring out).

25. "Lord, if it is You, command me to go to You on the waters."

26. Instead of exaggerating Peter's "yes" as a sign of his little faith, we should see his bold petition as "a mark of great confidence."

27. Peter realized that Jesus' commandments signify His equipment (equip), that "He gives strength for all that He commands."

28. (Matthew 14:29-33) As soon as Jesus said "Come, ... Peter got out of the boat and "began to walk toward Him."

29.

"As long as he kept his eyes fixed on Jesus," he could do the impossible; But the moment he began to notice the "strong wind", he began to sink.

30.

Frantically (madness, lost his mind, confusion) he cried out: Lord, save me!

31. The Lord took him by the hand, rebuked with kindness (grace, tenderness, compassion) his "little faith" and took him to the boat as He rebukes us today with kindness.

32. (Matthew 14:32) As soon as Jesus got into the boat, "the wind calmed down."

33. Then there was a worship meeting in the boat with the disciples saying to Jesus, "Truly you are the Son of God." (Matthew 14:33) Amen.