The Voice of the Waves

“Listen! The armies of many nations roar like the roaring of the sea. Hear the thunder of the mighty forces as they rush forward like thundering waves. But though they thunder like breakers on a beach, God will silence them, and they will run away. They will flee like chaff scattered by the wind, like a tumbleweed whirling before a storm.”
Isaiah 17:12‭-‬13 NLT

People can be noisy, can't they? It can be distracting, like so many gusts of wind in a storm, or reaching into a bush to get a berry and finding thorns instead. It can be easy to hear what they say and get caught up in the doubts or the frustration that arises: “What if they're right about me?” or “Who would say that?”

It's especially hard when their words echo your own doubts about yourself. But think of this: when you're standing on a rock, are you afraid of the waves that come crashing against it? Of course not! You don't even feel the vibration in your feet! Why would you be afraid of their power?

When people reject us, insult us, bully us, gossip about us, or slander us, we have a choice: To choose to listen to them, or to stand on the truth by remembering what God has said to us.

“But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
Isaiah 43:1 NIV

God's voice dispels our fears. He reminds us that he created us, redeemed us, summoned us, and claimed us as his own. No lie that people throw at you can stand against that, if you choose to believe it.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.”
Isaiah 43:2a NIV

Imagine that every insult and condescending word that people tell you is a wave or a gust of wind in a mighty storm. You're in a boat that you thought was safe--maybe it's the reputation that you'd been cultivating of being nice and friendly, or the trust you'd put in the friendships you share with those people--but the boat is being tossed this way and that, and has started filling with water, and refuses to go in the direction you want no matter how hard you row. And all the while, there's constant noise so loud and disruptive you can hardly hear yourself think.

But then there's Jesus, calmly walking through it all. He's not at all concerned with the storm, he's just going where he has to go. Part of you is wondering how he does it, and part of you thinks he's not even real. But then he speaks:
“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
(Matthew 14:27 NIV)

Instantly, the storm is forgotten as you gaze across the water at the Savior who loves you. His words bring life to your very bones, and lifts your heart with hope. Suddenly, all you want is to be near to him. Because wherever he is, you know you're safe. So you call out,
“Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come!” He says. (Matthew 14:28-29 NIV)

So you leave the place of comfort--that boat that you'd been trusting in--and you step out on the water. There he is before you, the man you left everything to follow the instant that he called you. The man who you've watched do the impossible so many times you've lost count. The man who gave you purpose and identity, and made you into a leader and a fisher of men.

But as you walk towards him, the waves and the wind scream for your attention again. They tell you that you're too good, and therefore not good enough. They tell you you're crazy.
“What are you doing?” They say, “Look around you! Nobody can walk on water!”

And so for a split second, you do look around and realize just what it is you're doing. You forget the call that Jesus gave you, to come to him. You forget his words, “Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid!”

And as you look around and lose sight of your goal to be with Jesus, suddenly the waves have you in their grasp. The “ground” is ripped out from under you, and threatens to swallow you and pull you under. You're drowning.

Yet even as you sink, you catch sight of Jesus again, standing above you. In desperation you cry out to him, and you see his hand reach down for yours. He pulls you up and sets you on your feet again. Quietly, he asks,
“You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31 NIV)

It can be so easy to be distracted by all the noise around us: the voices that tell us to doubt who we are or what God has said and done. But we don't have to listen to the voices of the waters that rage against us. There's only one voice that matters. He will always speak the truth, and he will always love you.

“But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.
Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”
Isaiah 43:1‭-‬5a NIV

When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced down the ruler of nations who was threatening to burn them alive, they never waivered. They stood up, figuratively and literally, for what they believed in. They held onto their faith in the God of their ancestors. They knew that he was the Lord, their God, the Holy One of Israel, their Savior. They knew he'd promised to be with them in the fire. They knew he'd honor their devotion, whether they lived or died. And he did. He was with them through the fire. He didn't let them go through it on their own. And he delivered them from it. When they emerged, no harm had come to them whatsoever. Their clothes didn't even smell like smoke. (See Daniel 3 for the whole story).

That same God is the one you serve. He has promised to be with you. Why?
“Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you.” (Isaiah 43:4)

He will never change. His love for you will never change. His promises will never change. His Word stands forever. It is stronger than all the attacks that come against it. So stand. Don't fear the flames that threaten to consume you. They can't harm one who stands with a shield of faith (See Ephesians 6:16). And don't fear the waves that look to distract you. Place your feet on the Rock, and the waves will break against it. You don't have to worry about defending yourself, simply trust in the Lord.

“Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:13‭-‬14 NIV