"One day Jesus said to His disciples, 'Let us go over to the other side of the lake.' So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, He fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
"The disciples went and woke Him, saying, 'Master, Master, we're going to drown!'
"He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 'Where is your faith?' He asked His disciples.
"In fear and amazement they asked one another, 'Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him.'" (Luke 8:22–25 NIV)
The Word of Faith Was Given
In this story, Jesus had just finished up many parable stories to the gathering crowds. He was always about the Father's business, and He only did and said what the Father was revealing to Him.
This idea to travel across the lake towards the evening hour wasn't just a flippant, passing thought. No, it was exactly what the Father was showing and leading Jesus to do. In turn, Jesus would reconfirm what the Father was saying by speaking the word in faith... not just some faith, but the faith that created His reality. When He said "Let us go to the other side of the lake," this was Jesus establishing the Father's command and desire in the courts of Heaven for Him and His disciples to proceed with full confidence to continue their ministry on the other side of the lake. Once this word was established, nothing could possibly hinder their travels.
The Test
I have heard it said, "The teacher is silent during the test." We see this ever so clearly in this story, as Jesus was asleep when a great storm arose from out of nowhere. The word was about to be tested. More specifically, the word was about to be tested in the heart of His disciples. Jesus was so confident of the word He spoke that He was able to rest in complete peace, no matter the circumstances around Him. (Photo via Picryl)
The Counterfeit
Whatever is in the heart will come out of the mouth during times of testing. This is where guarding your heart and mouth is crucial. In times of testing, the urgency to speak is like a volcano about to erupt. The pressure is intense and Jesus seems distant... like He is asleep. Usually, one of two things will be delivered from the heart to the atmosphere: words of faith or words of fear. In this story, we see that the disciples were gripped with fear from the physical circumstances developing around them. Their words to Jesus only confirmed the level of faith (and fear) in their hearts. Their words were a complete counterfeit to the words Jesus spoke even before they entered the boat.
The Test Subsides
Notice that Jesus did not speak to the disciples once the words from their hearts were spoken. He was always careful to never come into agreement with words of doubt and unbelief. Rather than trying to debate with them in times of fear, He showed His level of faith to His disciples by speaking words that were deep in His heart. Jesus had the word from the Father that they would go to the other side, so He spoke confirming words to make that come to pass. The storm was in the way, so Jesus spoke to the storm, telling it to be still and to subside. The storm had no other legal option other than to obey the command of the Father through Jesus.
The Transition
Many have found themselves in what has felt like one of the longest and most profound transitions of their lives. It would seem that there was some forward momentum, only to find another "pause." It would seem like you were going one direction, only to be thrust into a sudden course change. You have felt weary and even disoriented at times through the process, and you have been seeking the Lord for answers, only to find that He has been silent. Fear not! Your faith is being strengthened as He is doing a great work in these hard places!
The Oil
I hear the Lord saying, "Though you have felt crushed beyond what you could bare, know that I am strengthening your faith! The oil of anointing only flows from the crushing in the hardest places! You have yielded to Me and I am well pleased.
"You say that the weight and the longevity of this process has been crushing you beyond what you can bare. In reality, I have been strengthening your faith and growing the anointing oil in you for the great harvest! Truly, the Great Harvest is here! The oil is costly, and it is not found in the smooth and easy places. It is the sweet fragrance of My Father that is released when you yield to the process and the crushing."
"The Lord says, 'No one destroys good grapes; instead, they make wine with them. Neither will I destroy My people—I will save those who serve Me.'" (Isaiah 65:8 GNT)
The Crossover
The Lord is saying, "As you have endured and remained faithful in what has felt like the darkest night of the soul, you are stepping through to the other side and are crossing over! (Photo via Freerange Stock)
"Truly, weeping may endure through the night, but My joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). Be encouraged! It is time to cross over! Even as I parted the Red Sea for the children of Israel, and I made a way for them where there appeared to be no way through, will I not do the same for you?"
"So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!" (Exodus 14:22 NLT)
The Light of a New Day
The Lord says, "Though you have experienced a dark night of the soul, I have never once left your side! I have been and I will remain the faithful friend that sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). You are standing at the threshold of mighty breakthrough! Fall into My arms and allow Me to carry you over the threshold! My light of a new day is breaking forth! This process has not been in vain, for I have been refining you and molding you! I am truly working My purposes in you and preparing you for the greater measure!
"Lift your eyes, precious one! Your victory draws near and the very trajectory of your life is getting ready to change for the better! Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for nothing has been wasted!"
"For it was not by their sword that they took the land; their arm did not bring them victory. It was by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, because You favored them." (Psalm 44:3 BSB)
The Word of the Lord Was Given
"Then God said, 'Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.'
"Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, 'Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.'
"Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, 'Father?'
"'Yes, my son?' Abraham replied.
"'The fire and wood are here,' Isaac said, 'but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?'
"Abraham answered, 'God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.' And the two of them went on together." (Genesis 22:2–8 NIV) (Photo via Picryl)
Earlier in this story, the Lord and Abram had a conversation in which the Lord spoke to Abram about how many descendants he would have, even in his old age. The Lord confirmed this by establishing a covenant with Abram with the evidence of changing the spelling and the meaning of the names of "Abram" and "Sarai" to Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 17:3–15). The word of the Father was given! Abraham would become a great nation, and it would be through the child of promise birthed through Abraham and Sarah, their own flesh and blood.
The Word Was Tested
Later, we see that the Lord was now going to test the word given to Abraham (Genesis 22:1–2). He was asked to take his only son, Isaac, and travel to a distant land to offer him as a burnt offering to the Lord. A word given of this nature would totally seem counterintuitive to the words of the Father spoken earlier. Yet, Abraham did not waiver. He moved in faith the whole time. He prepared the donkeys, the firewood, packed the needed essentials, and brought along two servants to assist in the journey.
This is very different from the disciples portrayed in Luke 8:24, who spoke out in fear with the raging storm. Abraham was confident in the character and the word of the Father. He spoke reassuring words to his servants and to his son that they would go worship together, that God would provide the sacrifice, and that Abraham and the boy would return.
The Intervention
Abraham displayed his obedience to the Father right up to the point of sacrifice. This is where the Lord knew that Abraham had a healthy fear and reverence for the Lord! The timing was perfect! Not only was Isaac saved from sacrifice, but the Lord spoke to Abraham that He would now provide the sacrifice. The ram stuck in the thicket (Genesis 22:13) would provide the needed sacrifice in the moment, and the eternal sacrifice would be provided in the future through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. This would now fulfill both the word of promise and the word of testing! Truly, His thoughts and His ways are much higher than ours!
"My Timing Is Perfect!"
I hear the Lord saying, "Stand firm amidst the swirling and the movement that you are feeling. I am working; I am aligning things for your very best! As previously spoken, you are crossing over! My timing is perfect, and your times and seasons are truly in My hands. Delay has been broken and forward movement is taking place. (Photo via Flickr)
"If the curtains of what I have for you were pulled back, you would see all that is in the working. You would be ecstatic! See this by faith! The puzzle pieces are quickly coming together, and very soon you will go from waiting to awestruck wonder!
"I am not bound by natural circumstances or the times set by man. I reign above it all! Lean into Me and allow Me to continue to light your path. Your prayers and petitions have not been in vain!"
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16 ESV)
The Lord says, "Do not be afraid to expect the very best outcomes in all situations. I am your good Father, and I delight in doing above all that you can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20–21). Do not strive or seek to accomplish things in your own strength or ability. Rather, rest in this word that I will do what I have spoken."
"So he said to me, 'This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the LORD Almighty.'" (Zechariah 4:6 NIV)
"I am teaching you a new rhythm in this season; incline your ear to Me and allow Me to lead you into this new season. Throw off fear and anxiety and let the peace of God that surpasses all understanding guard your heart and mind (Philippians 4:7). You will eat the good of the land in this season. Look not to the former season. Truly, I am doing a new thing! Lack has been broken off and abundance shall be your portion! Truly, you will spread out to the right and to the left!" says the Lord of Hosts.
"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes." (Isaiah 54:2 NIV)
Whatever you do, don't miss another ELIJAH LIST email! Subscribe at this link: elijahlist.com/subscribe.
Jeff and Angie Stolba
Living With Confidence
Email:Â lwcministries@angiestolba.com
Website:Â www.angiestolba.com
Jeff and Angie Stolba have a heart to see people walking in complete freedom and restoration. Angie shares her testimony at conferences and women's events. Angie enjoys co-laboring with her husband Jeff in ministry, as well as pouring into their three daughters. Angie has a genuine passion for God's Word and intercessory prayer. She is the author of the book, Dealing With the Root of Rejection.
To receive more words like this in YOUR inbox, subscribe FREE to the Elijah List at this link: elijahlist.com/subscribe.
Thank you for making the always-free "ElijahStreams" possible. To partner with us, click here.
Your donations truly help us keep these emails free for you. Donate at:
Find us on:
* Facebook click here
* XAPiT click here
