Have you ever stood quietly on the beach contemplating the waves ebbing and flowing with the tide? You gaze in wonder as the power of the water rushes again and again through the sand and rocks along the shore. All is peaceful.
But imagine that you are in a small boat out in the middle of the ocean with no land in sight. A fierce storm suddenly comes upon you. You are certain the boat will capsize. And sometime in the early morning you look out across the water and see what appears as a mirage. Jesus is walking on the water toward your boat!
That was the real experience of the twelve disciples in the fourth watch of the night as Jesus came their way, taking a leisurely stroll on top of stormy waves. And Peter, by faith, asked Jesus to command him to come out on the water. What a moment for Peter. Matthew 14:29 is a verse in the Bible that we should all underline and memorize —
And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
Matthew 14:29
Oh yes, Peter walked on water. But he could have never walked on water had he not listened to the Lord and gotten out of the boat.
I believe this is a picture of the life of faith. We are told by Paul that "we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). The Lord is calling us to get out of the boat, so to speak, and walk on water by faith with Him in life.
However, once we are out of the boat, the first thing we discover is that the experience is much different than what we may have expected.
So what is life outside the boat like?
I think it's important to realize that when Peter got out of the boat, he experienced a storm that included wind and rain. And yet, he did walk on water with his faith. If he could run his race by faith, then so can we.
When we live life outside the boat we will soon realize that there is no visible means of support. Natural laws would tell us that no man can actually walk on water. But Jesus told Peter he could walk on water whether he saw the way or not. And, in fact, the Lord's words came true and Peter did walk on water. So don't be surprised if the next step of faith that Jesus calls you to take doesn't have a visible means of support. You have every promise from God's Word to stand on. You have more than enough from God to step out in faith.
Life outside the boat is a life of faith, not sight. This was true for Peter and it is true for us. So don't be surprised if you don't actually see or understand how God is going to accomplish all He promises in your life. His Word is enough. You can count on His promises. What He has said, He will do.
Life outside the boat can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful. It surely was for Peter when the wind and the rain came in the form of a fierce storm as he got out of the boat. Jesus said, "In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Don't be surprised if your walk of faith includes a trial. God is faithful in the midst of every trial and will give you strength and power to overcome and experience victory.
Peter did get distracted by the wind and began to sink. But he took another step of faith and cried out to the Lord. Immediately the Lord grabbed Peter and together they got back to the boat. And here's the encouraging result, "When they got into the boat, the wind stopped" (Matthew 14:32). We think that trials last forever, but there is an end to every trial. And someday, when we are in heaven, face to face with our Lord, we will realize that they were "momentary" and "light" compared to the eternal weight of glory that is being produced in the midst of our difficulties (2 Corinthians 5:16-18).
So, dear friend, whatever step of faith the Lord is calling you to take, be encouraged to grab hold of His promise, get out of the boat, and walk on water with the Lord.
Lord, today we ask that You will help us walk by faith not by sight even when the winds blow hard. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Blessings ♡ Grace
