When twelve disciples were dispatched by our Lord from one
shoreline to another, Peter had no way of knowing that before the night ended
he would literally go where no man had gone before. While these twelve
boat-boys huddled haplessly in desperation and fear, deadly winds, deep waters
and devastating waves dashed against their vessel, threatening to overflow and
sink them. Peter had no clue that in just a few moments HE WOULD BE
WALKING OUTSIDE THE BOAT…first confronting, then conquering crazy circumstances,
literally striding along on top of terrifying waves! Isn’t it just like
GOD to transform our times of anxiety and anguish into opportunities to
demonstrate that HIS POWER IS ON DISPLAY IN US? What an awesome God!
I say it often: God is always up to something behind the scenes!
Let’s revisit a pertinent portion of the scriptural passage
for this devotional series: “And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the
sea. And when the disciples saw him
walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they
cried out for fear. But straightway
Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it
be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship,
he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to
sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And
immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him,
O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the
wind ceased.” (Matthew 14:25-32)
Some are prone to criticize Peter for failure to sustain that
miraculous water walk. My response to the critics is simply this: ‘Who
among us can testify personally to having walked on water, like Peter?’
To be candid, most of us (myself included) would never have requested to
exit that boat in the first place – especially in light of the horrifying sea
experiences those disciples had been navigating – all in complete darkness!
A careful reading of this passage informs us that the storm was not
abated until AFTER Jesus and Peter entered the boat together. Think about
it. Peter had such great faith that he volunteered to head out INTO THE
STORM, just to be in close proximity with Jesus!
Wow! Skeptics suggest that Peter was only able to do this because JESUS WAS THERE. My response to
every shore-hugging-skeptic comes in the form of two key questions: (1) When
you and I are HESITANT or REFUSE to launch out into the deep and fulfill our
purpose and destiny, ISN’T GOD ALWAYS
THERE? (2) And any time we garner sufficient faith to move ahead
and launch out (despite momentary setbacks), ISN’T GOD ALWAYS THERE?
We call Him JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH because
“THE LORD IS THERE!” (Ezekiel 48:35)
Nevertheless, all of us would have gazed LONG AND HARD at
the water BEFORE we got out of that boat, and most of us would fail to ever
disembark. In other words, we have the tendency to become psychologically
and spiritually frozen – trapped in the paralysis of analysis – STUCK IN PLACE
for days, or even decades. Might I make a suggestion to ALL, myself
included? What we really need is A NEW ATTITUDE! Please don’t judge me for highlighting a
secular song, but years ago I listened to Patti LaBelle singing about “a new
attitude.” The lyrics went something like this: “I’m feeling good from my
head to my shoes. I know where I’m going, and I know what to do.
I’ve tidied up my point of view. I’ve got a new attitude!”
Finishing with her uniquely stylish flair, Pattie crooned
“OO-OO-OO-OO…I’VE GOT A NEW ATTITUDE!”
Sisters and brothers, I dare you (and me) to STEP OUT OF
YOUR BOAT at the command of OUR Lord!
If we should somehow falter along the way, JEHOVAH SHAMMAH IS THERE for a rapid
rescue; we only need to CALL HIS NAME! The Word reveals that when Jesus
and Peter finally came into the ship, the
wind ceased. I dare you to invite JESUS onboard your vessel;
conditions will instantaneously change! In the presence of His
demonstrated power over their storm, the twelve disciples gathered around to
worship the Son of the Living God. And with JESUS on board, they sailed
forward with strength, security, sensibility, stability and success.
This scripture passage ends with a simple status report:
“And when they were gone over, they came unto the land of GENNESARET.”
That name literally means “a garden of riches.” Jesus knew the character
and content of the place He had dispatched them to, but He also knew that their
faith would be enhanced by encountering difficult challenges along the
way. GENNESARET was simply a divine appointment awaiting fulfillment. Wherever
God guides, God provides. Therefore, if JESUS ever sends you
anywhere…JUST GO…because HE
has GREAT EXPECTATIONS THERE for your service and success.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of
peace and not of evil, to give you
a FUTURE and a HOPE.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please
(above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.
Maranatha!
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