Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- June 3, 2010
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.” Matthew 14:28-29
Sometimes Jesus sends us ahead in our boat of faith, while He prays for us from a distance. We feel alone at times, because He is not physically beside us to provide reassurance that we are on the right course. Then storms of sickness and/or global uncertainty strike our core beliefs and we become fearful. In our crisis of faith we can get out of our boat of fear and walk on the water toward Jesus, or we can sink in unbelief.
“Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:24-25).
Where does the Lord have you? Are you waiting to launch out in faith? Are you in the middle of a storm anticipating any minute His reassurance? Or has He asked you to get out of the boat toward a major faith-stretching goal? Wherever you are in your continuum of faith in Christ trust Him in the transition. If you are on the shore of starting—get in the boat of belief. If you are in the middle a fearful storm of life—look for Christ coming toward you. If He is asking you to get out of the boat and walk on water—trust Him.
What seems unnatural or impossible to you may be reasonable to Him. It is not a blind leap of faith, for you are fixing your eyes on Jesus. Keep your eyes on Jesus, do not look to the left at the storm, to the right at the still shore, or down at the uncertain water. Look straight ahead into the confident eyes of Christ. Watch Him as you walk on water in faith.
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:2-3).
We walk on water not to be seen, but to see Him. There is a depth of trust and love for the Lord that only comes from walking toward Him with virgin legs. Like a child learning to walk looks toward their loving parent with outstretched arms, so we wobble toward our smiling Savior. Go with God and experience great gain, or stay where you are and suffer great loss. Move out of your comfort zone, so Christ can be your sole comforter. Stay in the boat and see your limited work or walk on water and watch His unlimited work.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Where is the Lord asking me to get out of my comfort zone and to go with Him?
Related Readings: Genesis 12:4; Numbers 14:8; Acts 9:17; Revelation 17:14
