IF YOU WANT TO WALK ON WATER, YOU HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE BOAT!

I shared the following with a Bible study group I was asked to come and share with a couple of weeks ago.  I pray it will be a blessing to you.

Matthew 14:22-33 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

To be effective in our spiritual lives, we will sometimes have to take a risk (or what appears to be a risk). The turtle wouldn't get anywhere if he didn't stick his neck out. You won't do anything in life nor for God without risk.  Don't be scared to take a risk.  Remember, it's not really a risk when you are serving Jesus!

In our text, Peter wasn't testing Jesus, something we are told not to do (Matthew 4:7). Instead, he was the only one in the boat to react in faith. His impulsive request led him to experience a rather unusual demonstration of God's power.  We sometimes are critical of Peter for taking his eyes off of Jesus and sinking.  But keep in mind Peter was the only one of the disciples to take this step of faith and walk on the water,  He did something and experienced something none of the others did.  He took a risk.

When Peter was in the boat and asked Jesus to help him step out, he was a lot safer on the water than in the boat. When he was in the boat he was depending on something man made, but when he was in the water he was depending on the One who made man.  It's time we step out of our comfort zones and take a leap of faith.

Peter started to sink when he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the high waves around him. His faith wavered when he realized what he was doing.  But he knew who to turn to - Jesus!  Peter cried out to Jesus and He came through.  Sound familiar?

We may not walk on water, but we do walk through tough situations. If we focus on the waves of difficult circumstances around us without looking to Jesus for help, we, too, may despair and sink. To maintain your faith when situations are difficult, keep your eyes on Jesus and His power rather than on your inadequacies.

When Peter stepped out of the boat, he stepped out of his “comfort zone”. When we step out of our “comfort zone”, that is when God is able to do something. We are no longer depending on us, but rather on Him. Anything that is accomplished is accomplished by faith anyway, so let's step out of our comfort zone and see what God will do.

How many of you can identify with Peter?  He was always outspoken and doing things he shouldn't.  But he also was someone who was willing to take risks, sometimes crazy risks. Where do you feel God is leading you to get out of the boat now?

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

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