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!”
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Matthew 14:29-30
Peter was willing to put it all on the line. He and the other disciples had been straining against the waves and wind all night long when Jesus appeared to them, walking on the water. Wanting to prove his courage to Jesus, he made an amazing statement: “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water”. These were rough seas, and Peter was willing to literally step onto them because He was looking at Jesus. That gave him confidence and courage.–
Matthew 14:29-30
It went well for a while until Peter started to sink. And why did he sink? Because he took his eyes off Jesus and put them on other things. The Bible tells us, “When he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid. Circumstances can be frightening when your boss calls you in and tells you the company has to downsize and they are letting you go, or when the doctor informs you of the test results with a fearful prognosis, or when a bailiff appears in your office with a summons from the court, or when your spouse wakes you up at dawn and tells you he wants a divorce, it can put fear in you. It can devastate you. And it can cause you to take your eyes off Jesus.
Where fear reigns, faith is driven away. But where faith reigns, fear has no place. Faith and fear don’t dwell in the same heart. As you bring in faith, fear will walk out the back door. But if you invite fear as a resident in your heart, then you will drive faith away.
Peter had faith. He had his eyes on Jesus. He was doing the impossible. But then he started to sink, because he took his eyes off Jesus. No matter the challenge you may be going through, fix your eyes on Jesus. He is the beginning and the end of your faith.
Prayer:
Lord, my faith is built on nothing but on you.Scriptural Reading:
Matthew 14:22-33
