It is often the case, when God is just about to do for us something great, He may appear to our minds as an adversary, instead of a Deliverer. Just when help from Christ is on the way, our minds often interpret His providences as a harbinger of evil, instead of a sign of good things to come. When Joshua, and the children of Israel were just about to enter the lands of the Canaanites, where giants, such as Conan the barbarian were waiting for them, he went alone by himself to pray, to ask God for both guidance, and deliverance, from their surrounding enemies who were bent on their destruction.
But lo and behold, Christ, who had come down in person to deliver His people, appears to him as an armed warrior, with His sword drawn in His hand as if about to have an encounter, prompting him to ask the important question, “Art thou for us, or against us?” Let’s read:
Joshua 5:13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?
14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto his servant?
15 And the captain of the Lord's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
Again, when God was just about to deliver the Jews from the tyranny of Pharaoh, His providences had seemed to their minds as an omen of evil, so much so, that they began murmuring, and complaining to Moses. God, in His providence, had permitted that deranged pharaoh to pursue the Hebrews, with the intention of wiping out the entire army, but as the Egyptians were seen to be in hot pursuit of the Jews their faith gave way, and God seemed to them as an enemy, not a Friend. Let’s read:
Exodus 14:8 And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel.
9 The Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon.
10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord.
11 And they said unto Moses, because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.
13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever.
Again, when the disciples were battling with the billows on that stormy night, and had given up all hope of ever reaching land, Christ, who was on the shore, beholding with intense interest, all that was taking place, began His journey across the waves, with the sole purpose of rescuing the disciples. But as they see the figure approaching them, they cry out in fear, for as far as they could see, here was a ghost, coming towards them on the water, to put a final nail in their coffin, as the grim reaper often does. Let’s read:
Matthew 14:24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
Thus, the all- important question to be answered is, why is it, when Christ is just about to deliver, or do some great thing for His people, why does He often seem to be a ghost upon the water? This question, and the accompanying reasons must be thoroughly understood by every person who will live through the difficult days that are just ahead, described in the Bible as the time of trouble, such as never was, since there was a nation. Let’s read:
Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Thus, in order for us to understand why we so often misinterpret God’s providences, as if something bad is going to happen to us, we must begin our study with the reasons given in the scriptures, because Matthew tells us what happened, but he does not tell us why the incident went down the way it did. For this additional information, we must turn to the book of Mark. Let’s read:
Mark 6:48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea.
49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
50 For they all saw him, and were troubled.
51 And they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.
52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.
Question: What does the miracle of the loaves have to do with their inability to correctly interpret such an event as took place. And what does Mark mean when he says that their hearts were “Hardened?” And the introspect question for us is, could it also be, that our hearts are also hardened, preventing us from understanding God’s good purposes for us. Is Christ at this time appearing to our minds as The Redeemer, or the grim reaper?
To address these concerns, we must study closely, the exposition given on the same incident, by the pen of inspiration, for it will shed great light on why, God’s deliverances often appear to our minds as an omen of evil. Jesus has just dispersed the multitude and after sending His disciples away on the boat, He goes up into a mountain by Himself to pray because the people, as well as His disciples, had just entirely missed the object lessons given through the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Let’s read:
[The Desire Of Ages. pp 379] When left alone, Jesus “went up into a mountain apart to pray.” For hours He continued pleading with God. Not for Himself, but for men were those prayers. He prayed for power to reveal to men the divine character of His mission that Satan might not blind their understanding and pervert their judgment. Their long-cherished hopes, based on a popular delusion, were to be disappointed in a most painful, and humiliating manner.
In the place of His exaltation to the throne of David they were to witness His crucifixion. This was to be indeed His true coronation. But they did not discern this, and in consequence strong temptations would come to them, which it would be difficult for them to recognize as temptations.
Without the Holy Spirit to enlighten the mind, and enlarge the comprehension, the faith of the disciples would fail. It was painful to Jesus to see that their conceptions of His kingdom were, to so great a degree, limited to worldly aggrandizement and honor. For them the burden was heavy upon His heart, and He poured out His supplications with bitter agony and tears.
In this first reading, the prophet addresses the issue of a popular delusion, being one of the main factors which prevented them from correctly interpreting Christ’s mission, the miracle of feeding the people, and the ensuing events which took place on the lake. There is another popular delusion, held today, in high and low places, which not only shapes U.S policy, but has paved the way for Christ to again appear as a ghost, not as king of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Most contemporary Jews believe that the Messiah will appear in Jerusalem, hence the age-old conflict over that piece of real estate. And most protestant Christians also believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will make His appearance in the city of Jerusalem. This is the reason for the intense interest in having a U.S embassy located within its precincts. What’s also very disturbing, in the same breath, is that the 12th Imam is also soon expected to make his appearance in the middle east, and that’s one of the main reasons for the never-ending tensions in that part of the globe.
And while we are not here to vouch for either of the interpretations, this popular belief is actually based on the scripture, which has been misunderstood, in much the same way as the Bible prophecies which pointed to Jesus as the Messiah were, back then. So here it is, for those who may not have known. Let’s read:
Zechariah 14:1 Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.
2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled.
3 Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
5 And the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
9 And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.
We will address the correct interpretation of this prophecy in next week’s study, but it is necessary to show the similarity between the ancient delusion, which “Hardened” the disciples’ hearts, and the modern-day delusion, which is hardening the hearts of Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike. However, of more importance is the state of mind, which was being cherished by the disciples, after witnessing the miracle of the loaves and fishes.
They murmured and they complained to each other about The Lord, until great spiritual darkness had enveloped their minds, thus severely inhibiting their ability to see spiritually, and correctly interpret what was seen. Let’s read:
[The Desire of Ages. pp 379>380] The disciples had not put off immediately from the land, as Jesus had directed them. They had left Jesus with dissatisfied hearts, more impatient with Him than ever before since acknowledging Him as their Lord. They murmured because they had not been permitted to proclaim Him king. They blamed themselves for yielding so readily to His command. They reasoned that if they had been more persistent they might have accomplished their purpose.
Unbelief was taking possession of their minds and hearts. Love of honor had blinded them. They knew that Jesus was hated by the Pharisees, and they were eager to see Him exalted as they thought He should be. To be united with a teacher who could work mighty miracles, and yet to be reviled as deceivers, was a trial they could ill endure. Were they always to be accounted followers of a false prophet?
Would Christ never assert His authority as king? Why did not He who possessed such power reveal Himself in His true character, and make their way less painful? Why had He not saved John the Baptist from a violent death? Thus the disciples reasoned until they brought upon themselves great spiritual darkness. They questioned, could Jesus be an impostor, as the Pharisees asserted?
They were in the midst of troubled waters. Their thoughts were stormy and unreasonable, and the Lord gave them something else to afflict their souls and occupy their minds. God often does this when men create burdens and troubles for themselves. Until the fourth watch of the night they toiled at the oars. Then the weary men gave themselves up for lost.
Jesus had not forgotten them. The Watcher on the shore saw those fear-stricken men battling with the tempest. Not for a moment did He lose sight of His disciples. With deepest solicitude His eyes followed the storm-tossed boat with its precious burden; for these men were to be the light of the world. As a mother in tender love watches her child, so the compassionate Master watched His disciples. When their hearts were subdued, their unholy ambition quelled, and in humility they prayed for help, it was given them.
At the moment when they believe themselves lost, a gleam of light reveals a mysterious figure approaching them upon the water. But they know not that it is Jesus. The One who has come for their help they count as an enemy. Terror overpowers them. The hands that have grasped the oars with muscles like iron let go their hold.
The boat rocks at the will of the waves; all eyes are riveted on this vision of a man walking upon the white-capped billows of the foaming sea. They think it a phantom that omens their destruction, and they cry out for fear. Jesus advances as if He would pass them; but they recognize Him, and cry out, entreating His help. Their beloved Master turns, His voice silences their fear, “Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.”
Very important spiritual lessons are given to us in this experience, for one error cherished in the heart can dramatically affect our interpretation of events in our lives. The same holds true for the mindset we cultivate. If we train our minds to look on the darker side of life, dwelling on the negatives and hurdles in the way, our interpretation of events will tend to be foreboding. But if we cultivate a cheerful, resilient spirit, our general interpretation of events will tend to be along lines of hope.
Believing that Jesus is the Son of God, carries with it very much weight, for it’s not merely an intellectual acknowledgement, but is also a deep understanding and an acceptance of some basic facts which come with the title. For instance, if we believe He is the Son of God, then He must possess omniscience, and that means He knows the end from the beginning.
And since He knows the end from the beginning, then He must have known that a storm would arise on the lake that night. And if we believe that God is good, then Jesus Christ would not deliberately put His disciples in harm’s way to be destroyed, for He already stated that He came not to kill, but to save lives. And since He always has our back, as He has clearly stated over, and over again, then, if there’s a ghost coming towards us upon the water, it must be none other than The Holy Ghost.
Now that we have seen how the thoughts we may cherish, or the errors we may harbor, can adversely affect our interpretation of events, it is now fitting that we should end with a quote from the pen of inspiration addressing the issue, as well as verses of scripture, which encourage us to think, and behave as conquerors. Let’s read:
Patriarchs & Prophets. Pp 293>294] Many look back to the Israelites, and marvel at their unbelief and murmuring, feeling that they themselves would not have been so ungrateful; but when their faith is tested, even by little trials, they manifest no more faith or patience than did ancient Israel. When brought into strait places, they murmur at the process by which God has chosen to purify them. Though their present needs are supplied, many are unwilling to trust God for the future, and they are in constant anxiety lest poverty shall come upon them and their children shall be left to suffer.
Some are always anticipating evil or magnifying the difficulties that really exist, so that their eyes are blinded to the many blessings which demand their gratitude. The obstacles they encounter, instead of leading them to seek help from God the only Source of strength, separate them from Him, because they awaken unrest and repining.
Jesus is our friend; all heaven is interested in our welfare; and our anxiety and fear grieve the Holy Spirit of God. We should not indulge in a solicitude that only frets and wears us, but does not help us to bear trials.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
37 In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
May God enable us to believe. God bless!