Matthew 14:29-30
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came forward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
I read a devotional this morning that reminded me of how I’ve cried a lot, “Lord, save me!”
Like Peter, I usually start out facing the challenges (before it even started) in life full of courage and confidence that Jesus will be there right with me. How can I feel unsafe with Jesus by my side? How can I loose confidence, if Jesus who redeemed me and saved me while I’m still a sinner promised not to leave or forsake me?
Before Jesus invited Peter to walk with him on the water, there are pretty significant events that took place first. First, Jesus fed 5,000 people. What a miraculous revelation of God’s power through Jesus! After Jesus fed the 5,000 people, he told his disciples to go to the other side of the sea before him. During this time, there was a storm approaching so the sea was pretty rough.
There are 3 things that post importance when it comes to the disciples characteristics:
- They are obedient to Jesus.
- They are hardworking men (After feeding 5,000 people, they must be exhausted. However, this didn’t stop them to set out their boat to sail across the sea).
- Peter believes and has faith in Jesus (although he doubted later on).
We can be obedient, work hard for Jesus’ ministries and have faith, but when our faith is challenged with doubt, it relinquishes the power of God in us. Peter and the rest of the disciples were in the middle of the sea, darkness surrounded them and the sky is heavy with strong winds and storm coming. It is quite difficult for Peter to walk on water without looking at the situation he’s in. But believing that it is Jesus who is out there (in the dark) calling him out to get out of the boat & walk on water, Peter was able to take several steps on the water. Yet, despite his faith, he began looking at the storm coming instead of fixing his eyes on Jesus.
We are so alike Peter. When faced with storm or when traversing a dark path where we don’t know where we are heading, we loose heart and begin to sink and cry “Lord, save me!”
I want to quote this from My Utmost for His Highest, my devotional this morning:
“If you debate for even one second when God has spoken, it is all over for you. Never start to say, “Well, I wonder if He really did speak to me?” Be reckless immediately— totally unrestrained and willing to risk everything— by casting your all upon Him. You do not know when His voice will come to you, but whenever the realization of God comes, even in the faintest way imaginable, be determined to recklessly abandon yourself, surrendering everything to Him. It is only through abandonment of yourself and your circumstances that you will recognize Him. You will only recognize His voice more clearly through recklessness— being willing to risk your all.” – excerpt from utmost.org
PRAYER:
Lord, help me trust you with all my life & with my everything. May I trust you not just in big things, but even in daily small affairs of my life. Help me to have the courage to follow your will even when I’m faced with trials and storm in life.
