Matthew 14:26 (ESV) “But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
The person that the disciples feared was Jesus. He appeared as a ghost to them. The did not recognise that it was Jesus. The lens they were looking through was one of fear, their focus being on the wind, the storm, and even Jesus appeared to them as a ghost. Their help in need, Jesus, become their biggest fear, a ghost. This is the problem, in the midst of our storms we see many ghosts, that do not even exists, ghosts of there is no hope, I am not going to make it, everything is against me, and the list goes on and on.
It seems that the ghost coming to you, is Jesus. You see what is impossible for man is possible for God. God saying to you, everything is possible with me.
Luke 18:27 (NKJV) “But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”
Joseph’s prison was his palace coming to him. Daniel’s lion’s den was his ticket to victory. Job’s loss was his steppingstone, his double portion. Sarah’s barrenness was her miracle to a nation. Jeremiah’s language problem was what God needed to make him a prophet.
Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
Psalm 23: 4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me”
Psalm 46:1-3 (NKJV) “1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling.”
Martin Luther realised the power of the Word of God as he sat imprisoned in a castle tower waiting to die. Waiting for his execution the next morning, Luther prayed over Psalm 46, and God met him. While he was about to lose his life for his God, Luther was able to confidently proclaim, “A mighty fortress is our God!” When morning came, he was taken to the place of execution. On the way, a band of his followers came by on horseback, swooped him up, and took him to a German castle. There Luther was protected and hid for a year, during which he translated the New Testament into German. For the first time in history, the Bible was available in the language of the common man. God was for Martin Luther. God showed up for him — and He will show up for you.