WALK ON THE WATER

Do you ever feel as though the storms of life are overwhelming you? I am going through a personal storm with my health. And the Lord graciously reminded me not to focus on my problem but to keep my eyes on Him. 

Jesus calls us to get out of our boat (a metaphor for anything that we use for comfort, security, support, and safety) and step out in faith onto the water (place of uncertainty—out of our natural element). That requires trusting Jesus and not that place of comfort. For when we encounter life’s storms, that place of comfort ceases to provide comfort, because we become tempted to focus on the storm and all the uncertainty, upheaval, and problems that surround us.

Jesus, knowing that the disciples’ hearts were filled with doubt and uncertainties, commanded them to get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side of the lake, while He dismissed the crowd. The disciples were about to experience a great storm that would cause them to fear for their lives.

After the crowd left, Jesus went on a mountainside to pray. He knew exactly what He was doing for He was going to call forth a mighty storm to show the disciples that their faith was weak and not in Him.

That night, the boat was a considerable distance from land when the disciples were buffeted by fierce waves and wind that caused them to fear for their lives. They would soon learn their need to trust, believe, and have faith in Him.

The storms of life will surely come. And if we allow those storms to divert our attention away from God, we will fail to trust Him. However, we are told that no matter the problem or how bad it looks, we are to look to the Lord who calls us to focus on Him and not the raging problems that can appear overwhelming. For Jesus states, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26). So, where is our faith in our Lord when problems surround us?

Shortly before dawn, Jesus went out to them—walking on the water.  When the disciples saw Him walking on the water, they were terrified. They cried out in fear, “It’s a ghost.”  But immediately Jesus said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Peter, always the eager and loudest one, called out, “Lord, if it’s You, tell me to come to You on the water.” Jesus said, “Come.”

Peter immediately got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.  But when he took his eyes away from Jesus and looked at the powerful wind and waves, he became afraid and began to sink and cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately, Jesus reached out His hand and caught Peter and said, “You of little faith. Why did you doubt?”  

Jesus and Peter climbed into the boat and the wind and water calmed, and those in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly, You are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:22-33 NIV). This was a lesson in faith for the disciples. Jesus knew their hearts, their questions, and their doubts about who He was, even though they had witnessed many miracles that He had performed.

Peter had initially kept his eyes on Jesus and was not focused on the storm. But when he turned his eyes away from Jesus and back to the storm his lack of faith caused him to sink. And if we take our eyes off of Jesus we too can sink into despair and doubt.

We must believe that we always have Jesus with us and to keep our eyes on Him. When we do that, we will not fear the storms that come to all. We can trust that He will be with us each day and in every storm of life. Jesus wanted the disciples to be confident in that truth. He would surely be with them in every situation, and He will be with us, because He is the Son of God whose unchanging promises are there to anchor us in faith.

PRAYER: FATHER, I declare that I am blessed and not defeated because of what Your Son did for me that day on Calvary’s cross. No matter what comes, help me not be moved by what I see and feel, Help me to trust Your Word that promises that You are my protector, provider, healer, deliverer, and way-maker. Thank you that as I seek You, all things will fall into place and under Your sovereign will. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.