Can we as people really step out on the H2O? Is there enough buoyancy in faith to sustain us above the pull of our body weight?
The disciple Peter found out about faith and buoyancy as we see written in Matthew 14:22-32 in the Holy Bible.
As the story goes, Jesus came walking on the water to the boat full of disciples. The sight of this miraculous happening terrified them; they thought they were seeing a ghost!
But Jesus immediately said, “take courage, it is I, don’t be afraid”.
This statement from Jesus gave Peter enough faith in his own words to say to Jesus (who was still out on the water, by the way), “Lord if it’s You tell me to come to You on the water”.
Peter’s faith in what he heard the Lord say propelled his faith into buoyancy! And Peter’s faith gave Jesus the opportunity to allow action to correspond to his faith by saying, “Come”.
At this point, there is nothing left to do except, get out of the boat! And that’s just what Peter did.
So Peter stepped out of the boat onto the water, “by faith”, weight and wind defying faith – buoyancy faith!
As long as Peter was looking at the source of his faith, I will say that again, “as long as Peter was looking at the source of his faith”, he was walking on the water. Amen!
Peter was walking toward Jesus on the water, then he noticed the wind and the waves, or natural happenings, he took his eyes off his source and looked at the obstacles… UT OH!
Peter focused on the obstacles and began to sink; here is where the graciousness of our Lord shines!
I have a personal story about God’s graciousness that I will share at this point.
About 14 years ago my wife and I left home and family to set out to serve God at a higher level, in another state.
My wife and I were moved “by faith” we knew there was much more about the Trinity than we were walking in.
We sought to learn about faith and how to be led by the Spirit of God. We soon found out there was a lot about faith that we did not yet understand. We started looking at the wind and the waves in our life; we took our eyes off of our Source!
As we began sinking, I remember asking God this question, “God what’s happening, why are we sinking, how did we fail”?
The next words from God were a marker time in my faith journey. God spoke to me, not in an audible voice but inside my spirit, saying “Peter was the only one to get out of the boat, I had to help him back in”!
This phrase still ministers to me some 14 years later. This is one of the most gracious times I have ever had with the Lord. I felt comforted, I felt loved, and I felt the caress of a Father, a Brother, and a friend. Amen!
God saw our stepping out as a faith victory, not a faith failure. Just as with Peter in verse 30, he cried out, “Lord save me”, and the Bible says in verse 31 that Jesus immediately reached out and caught Peter and saved him from drowning.
This was not the end of Peter’s story, nor was it the end of mine. You see, Jesus is thrilled when we trust Him and step out in faith. But His words to Peter, me, and you after we allow doubt to derail our faith is, “you of little faith, why did you doubt”.
Jesus wants us living out of the boat;
- trusting Him with our every move
- walking where few dare try
- accomplishing what most fear
- And taking courage that He will do everything He said! Amen!
Do you trust Him, friend? He is faithful, trustworthy, and true!
When we step out, Jesus steps in. In Him all obstacles disappear, all waves flatten out, and “by faith” we have what He says.
What we need to say as we walk this faith walk is found in verse 33, “Truly you are the Son of God”, and I trust you!
Let’s walk on the water today. If enough of us get out of the boat we can change our churches, our communities, our states, and yes even our country.
Walk “by Faith” today! Trust Jesus to change your life today. He is so gracious and faithful, let’s join with Him today.
If you need a faith boost today, please leave a comment and I will prayerfully respond.
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Scriptures of encouragement and content: Matthew 14:22-32, James 2:18, James 1:23-25, James 4:6, Hebrews 2:11, Matthew 21:21, Isaiah 26:3, 2 Corinthians 5:7, and Isaiah 30:18 TPT, ” For this reason the Lord is still waiting to show His favor to you so He can show you His marvelous love. He waits to be gracious to you. He sits on His throne ready to show mercy to you. For Yahweh is the Lord of justice, faithful to keep His promises. Overwhelmed with bliss are all who entwine their hearts in Him, waiting for Him to help them. Amen and Wow!