The night wind roared chill and damp through the fisherman's cloak. Before him the inky waters heaved and tossed, their smooth motion seeming to stutter as vivid flashes of moonlight escaped through the sweeping clouds. His beard hung wet, mingled with the lake's cool spray. A few pale stars pricked the sky.
Over the howling gale and crashing waves a voice could be heard, strong yet inviting... "Come!" Immediately the fisherman removed his sandals and his heavy cloak and swung one leg, then the other, over the edge of the wind-battered vessel. He lowered himself down firmly onto the surface of the water and stood up. The water was cool, alive and rolling underneath his feet. He raised his arms slightly, balancing as he lifted one foot, then the other, and began to walk.
Peter's sensational steps on the stormy Sea of Galilee are an incredible picture of the magnitude of God's power available to us in our walk of faith. He and the other disciples had been toiling against the wind for the better part of the night when Christ first appeared, seeming to them a foreboding apparition on the tempestuous waters (Matthew 14:26). They cried out in dread at the unwelcome guest, but Jesus was quick to ease their fears. "Take heart," He said, "it is I! Do not be afraid" (v.27).
When we have been toiling in the same struggles for months or even years, wrestling against the wind with little to no headway, the approach of our deliverance can seem confusing, even frightening at first glance. A sudden turn of events. Some unexpected news. An unwelcome interruption. We may desire to wish away the unpleasant weather in favor of smooth sailing and clear skies, but it is a right knowledge of who Christ is that brings true comfort in the midst of our circumstances.
With a few words Jesus calmed the more dangerous storm—the storm within the disciples' hearts—dispelling their fears and doubts and assuring them of His benevolent intentions. It is I. Do not be afraid. As we meet Christ in His word our doubts are driven away by His truth, our fears scattered by His love, and our hearts reassured that, no matter what we're facing, "for those who love God all things work together for good" (Romans 8:28).
Peter peered out across the waves and, recognizing Jesus, boldly answered, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water" (Matthew 14:28). What an odd request! The boat, though blown and beaten, was arguably a safer place for Peter to be. And Jesus was already on His way to assist them. Yet Peter seems almost impatient to be with his Master—eager, even though the hazards of an angry sea lay between them.
When Christ comes to us in mercy, the natural response of our love and gratitude is the desire to meet Him in faith-fueled obedience. Like Peter we long to be with Him! To walk where He walks and go where He goes, no matter what the hazard. "And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments" (2 John 1:6), and, "whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked" (1 John 2:6). Faith recognizes that, despite the appearance of things, walking with Jesus is always the safest place to be.
Jesus' voice carried on the wind, reaching Peter's listening ears: "Come," He said. "So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus" (Matthew 14:29). Peter sought Christ's command and waited for His call before getting out of the boat. He was eager, but not hasty. By waiting Peter showed the value he placed in Christ's word and the efficacy he believed it would impart.
Faith first listens before it acts. It seeks God's command in God's word and then trusts in God's power to be able to fulfill it! Faith does not presume upon self but depends upon Christ. This is the Gospel call: Come—venture all on Christ! Commit your soul into His keeping, to bear, to quicken, to raise up with Him in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6) high above the waves of the shifting world. Come—quit the safety of your ship of self-reliance and embrace the waves you have dreaded of late, for the wind is ever-boisterous, but the eyes of faith see it not!
We have been given victory over the world and our flesh by Christ our Savior, and it is only by looking to what He has already done that we are enabled by faith to do likewise! "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith" (1 John 5:4). "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57). Do we value above all else the Word that tells us of these great and precious promises? Do we believe in its effectiveness to carry us through the storm? Are we eager to exercise our faith or are we playing it safe in the boat?
Peter started off well enough. After a few shaky steps he began to take some more confident strides. But then a strong gust of wind, a flash of lightning and Peter turned his gaze from Christ to the waves. Driven by the wind they loomed, towering around him like great watery mountains. What am I doing? he thought. Fear gripped his heart, his eyes widened, and all of a sudden his feet slipped beneath the surface of the lake. Beginning to sink Peter wildly grasped and cried out, "Lord, save me!" (Matthew 14:30).
If faith in Christ bears us above the waves, then self-confidence drags us down into them. When we get caught up in what we can or can't do, we foolishly turn from the Spirit to the flesh (Galatians 3:3). Christ beckons us to walk upon the water that we might know His power, and so that when we sink we might also know our own weakness. As He encourages our faith He also checks our focus. Viewing the difficulties without and within from a human perspective rather than focusing on Jesus with eyes of faith is the root of all our anxieties. This is what the apostle Paul meant when he said, “For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).
"Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?' And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God'" (Matthew 14:31–33). Peter's real danger was not the violence of the storm; it was doubt that threatened to overwhelm him. But faith, having endured a conflict with unbelief, often emerges the stronger! Though Peter's faith was little, it was true, proving that it is not the size but the object of our faith that is important.
Faith centered on Christ cannot help but grow and flourish into full and holy assurance. And that assurance can do no less than affect our absolute adoration and awe! As with the disciples, our profession becomes our praise—truly Jesus is the Son of God. We worship Him who has power to command the wind, who causes the waves to cease, who walks upon the waters and who is mighty to save (Isaiah 63:1)! And when our souls are caught up in the wonder of Christ we shall find He Himself is our peace (Ephesians 2:14), our anchor of hope (Hebrews 6:19), our safe harbor.
So what storm are you sailing through right now? Are you frightened by the ferocity of the wind? Do you feel as though the waves might capsize you at any moment? Maybe you can't even see Jesus through the thick darkness surrounding you...but He can see you. He knows you're caught in the storm and He is praying for you, watching and waiting for the perfect moment to manifest His grace, love and mercy to you (Matthew 14:23–25; Romans 8:34). Will you step out in faith and meet Him? You cannot do it perfectly, but He promises to bear you up and be your strength. Listen for His call. Seek Him in His word. And when the time comes, get out of the boat.
O Lord, I am weak but You are not! I know I cannot face this storm in my own strength. I need You to bear me up above the waters and see me through. Lift me out of the waves of doubt and anxiety; set my soul above, with You, in heavenly places. You have given me victory! Help me to take hold of it by faith, to walk with a steadfast focus on what You have already accomplished on my behalf. I believe in the power of Your word and Your Holy Spirit, and I wait in expectation for Your call. Guide me and empower me to walk as You walk, Jesus. My faith is in You alone! Amen.
Reflection Questions
- Think of a struggle you are experiencing right now. How might unrecognized deliverance be appearing in this situation?
- Faith seeks God's command in God's word and then trusts in God's power to be able to fulfill it. What are the two action verbs of faith in this sentence? How do we put them into practice in our lives?
- God can do great things with little faith because He is a great God! Where might God be asking you to step out in faith and trust Him to work in your life?
- Go back and read Matthew 8:23–27. The disciples found themselves in two similar situations. In the first, Christ was asleep. In the second He was absent. God trains us up by degrees to walk in faith—how has this proved true in your own experience?