“Lord, if it’s You,” Peter answered Him, “command me to come to You on the water.” “Come,” He said. And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid. And beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately, Jesus reached out His hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:28-31
My words…
Praise
Middle of the night. Dark sky. Dark seas. The wind whips around Peter’s head. Waves splash over the side of the boat, drenching his sandals. But Peter’s a fisherman. He can sail. He can swim. This isn’t his first stormy night. Then he sees You, walking on the sea toward the boat. You know what’s going to happen before Peter does. He makes a faith-filled request. You grant it. He climbs out. As soon as his sandals are supported on the surface of the sea, everything changes. He is suspended on a supernatural plane. He has entered a divine realm, a sacred space with You. He is no longer witnessing it from afar, like watching You feed thousands with so little. He is in it. Events unfold differently there. What could never happen, happens. What could never been seen, is seen. Sandals grounded on liquid. Why not? The fact that Peter desired this when the others didn’t is a testament to his…what? Some scholars say he was too rash, not thinking before he leapt. Maybe. I think he just wanted to be near You. The gap between You and him was too big; Peter wanted to close it. I don’t dwell on what happened next. I just love that Peter climbed out of the boat.
Prayer for me
Before he could turn cartwheels on Galilee, the howling wind drew Peter’s eyes away from You, and the supernatural plane fell away. I can’t identify with sandals grounded on liquid, but I’ve been on crossings with You when I’ve been lured away or scared away. Like Peter, I didn’t doubt You. I doubted me. I don’t have enough faith in my faith. Please help me with this.
Forgive me
I’ve been struggling with my priorities lately, placing projects and hobbies before my time with You. Lying in bed at night, I attempt to make up for lost time, and we both know the futility of that attempt. Forgive the condition of my heart. It’s flabby and needs discipline.
Prayer for others
Lord, I pray for those who have taken their eyes away from You, and they are sinking. Some are terrified. Some don’t care. I pray that something or someone will enter their lives to cause them to reach for Your outstretched hand.
Thank You
Thank You for granting Peter permission to walk with You on the sea. And thank you for saving him. Thank You for walking with me on our own version of the Sea of Galilee. And thank You for saving me. Over and over.
More praise
I often wonder if Peter, while imprisoned in chains, thought back to his stroll on the sea. I imagine he remembered every moment – the thrill of water beneath his feet, the blast of the wind in his face, the grasp of Your reaching hand. He couldn’t have regretted his decision to climb out of the boat. I never have.
