Matthew 14:28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw [a]that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (NKJV)
In life, it’s inevitable that we’re going to go through trials and tribulations (storms) of many kind…
[1 Peter 4:12-13 “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you, but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”-NKJV]
[James 1:2-3 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience]
When we read and think about the physical storm Peter, and the other disciples, were in, we have to also remember who was there with them. As it was brought to my remembrance that: the very same storm they were in when Jesus calmed the sea was the very same storm that was taking place when Peter decided to take a leap of faith and walk on water. He heard the voice of Jesus comand him to “come” and he felt that it was safe to step outside of “the boat” and literally walk on water.(metaphorically, the boat could represent our comfort zones) With as great of faith as that, Peter trusted The Lord BUT, he began to get distracted by the conditions of the storm. He took his eyes and attention off of Jesus and fear began to grip Peter, causing him to sink.
How many times have we received a word from the Lord to launch out into the deep and out of shallow places but, allowed fear to grip us; hindering us from making further steps into where we were commanded to go? How many times have we allowed fear to take the place of faith in our lives because of what we’re hearing, seeing and feeling within the storm; causing us to take our attention off of The Problem Solver and onto the problem? Have we forgotten His Word(s) because we’re blinded mentally and spiritually by fear, doubt, anxiety, depression, oppression and everything else that hinders us from staying afloat and focused? (refer to Hebrews 12:1). Have we forgotten about what God has done and what He’s capable of doing?
God has already spoken The Word on several occasions to TRUST HIM and yet many of us allow things we experience and see, in the midst of a storm, to blind and distract us from His Truth. He told us these things will be so that we can prepare. His Word says that we’re being pruned and molded. So these things we’re experiencing in life, particularly during this pandemic, aren’t only DISTRACTIONS to keep us from clearly discerning and hearing God but, they’re illusions as well. What some of us think is happening isn’t happening. Many of our discernment has been tampered with by The Accuser (the one who deceives). He has come as a false witness/prophet to the ones who were once strong in the faith & are now gradually beginning to doubt and question God saying, “Lord, if this is really you, then…”. THE LORD has never changed on us but, many times we get into situations and all of a sudden we’re questioning if God is actually there in the midst of it to deliver us out.
We don’t have to panic or lose our focus in any storm IF we trust God and stand firmly on His Word and His promises. No matter how strong the winds may blow: [no matter what you see/hear in the media, no matter how much pain you may feel right now, physically and/or emotionally, no matter how many times you’ve heard what “they” had to say, no matter what your relationship status looks like right now] or how hard the rain may fall, STAY FOCUSED!! STAY AFLOAT!! We can think we’re so strong in our faith walk until we’re hit with a test or challenge that reveals just how strong we truly are. Many of us, as believers, are being exposed during this 2020/2021 pandemic. So many has put their faith and confidence in what man has said instead of us putting our weight & confidence on what God has already said, long before any world crisis began.
FEAR was the very thing that distracted Peter from walking all the way to Jesus. Yes, he stepped out on faith but, he didn’t remain confident. God remains faithful even when we don’t. Yes, He’ll come through and deliver us but, He expects us to never waiver in our faith because without it, it’s impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6; also refer to Romans 5:1-5).
[2Tim. 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”]
This message is also a reminder for me to go the distance in my faith walk and never waiver. We can talk the talk but, are we totally walking the walk…all the way? Are we practicing what we’re preaching when it comes to FAITH IN GOD? You don’t have to answer out loud but, many of us are already being exposed either way. NOW is the time to redirect your attention and spiritual eyes BACK towards God and walk confidently with Him. He knew we would face obstacles and He has already provided a way for us to escape and conquer them, when we’re faced with them. Don’t allow any emotions, that you may currently be feeling, separate you (or continue to keep a wedge/distance) away from God and all He has to offer. Yes, He’s always ready to deliver us if and/or when we fall but, we don’t have to if we put less faith in people, places and things and more faith in The Almighty God, who is able to keep us from falling (Jude 24).
Romans 8:35-39 (NKJV) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulations, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.]
Empowered and Inspired 