Last night we watched the season finale of The Chosen of Season 3. Along with Gospel teaching, there is dramatization of the back story of the lives and experiences of the disciples. One of the back stories was of a Pharisee determined to stop the “false teachings “ of Jesus. He hurries to a reported place where hundreds, including gentiles, are being taught by this “rogue” teacher. What he finds as the crowds are dispersing is not hundreds but thousands and all excited by what they heard. Is it possible? You can see that troubling and startling thought take root. Am I fighting against what God is doing?

I took that to God in prayer. How many times have we put God in a mold we believe He is? How many times does God do a new thing? “ I, the Lord have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the gentiles. I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you. Isaiah 42:6, 8-9.

And now in Deuteronomy 31 God is turning the reigns of leadership over to Joshua. Moses will fade. And what does the Lord tell Joshua? Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you. v. 23.

The Israelites as God’s people were to be a light to the gentiles illuminating God’s love. A new thing not realized in minds set firmly in the mold they believe God is.

Returning to The Chosen, we saw a depiction of Jesus walking on water to reach the disciples rowing on stormy seas (Matthew 14:22-34) and Simon challenging Him if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water. They weren’t sure it wasn’t a ghost because what else could it be? A new thing. Jesus said come and Simon did. The disciples were terrified. Simon walked to Jesus on water right up until he saw the waves crashing around him. Jesus pulls him up and gets him to the safety of the boat and holds him as Simon cries, “Please don’t let go of me, please don’t let go of me!” Jesus told Simon what He told Joshua and each of us…”I am here…I myself will be with you.”

Possible. For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7.

The disciples asked Jesus for more faith in last nights episode and He told them it isn’t about the amount; faith the size of a mustard seed is all you need if your faith is in the right Person and that Person is God. He is our faith. Moses isn’t our faith, Joshua isn’t our faith. Almighty God who held a weeping disciple in His arms as He calmed the raging sea with His word is our faith. I myself will be with you.

Is it possible to have faith in a world with raging seas of turmoil all around? Yes. Keep your eyes on God and not focused on the problems of the world that we cannot solve. Trust in the One who can. Scripture is a record of God’s promises. It’s also a history of faith and disbelief. And what does God promise us? And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20. A new thing is coming promised long ago. Take His hand and walk in the sure faithfulness of His love.