Matthew 14:24-25, 29-31
"But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary."
"And in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea."
"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 (Peter) 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?"
"But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary."
"And in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea."
"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 (Peter) 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?"
As I'm sitting here entering today's post, a morning summer storm is raging outside, complete with thunder and windy rain, much like I imagine the weather during this scriptural account. The storminess is central to the miracle of the story.
In verse 24, we read of how the sea was tossed with waves and the wind was contrary. Do you ever feel as if your life could be defined that way? Is your soul ever tossed about and troubled? Do you feel as if the boisterous winds of adversity and the world's philosophies are blowing you to and fro, making it difficult to reach your destination?
In the next verse, Jesus comes to them in the fourth watch. The footnote explains that it would have been between 3 and 6 am. Why had he waited so long to come to them? Could it be, that Peter's experience could not have happened as it did, were he not sufficiently humbled by his trial at sea? Likewise, when we feel alone, we must know that the Lord WILL come to us, when our spirits are ready for the miracle to happen.
When Peter came from the ship, or left behind him his cares, and kept his eyes on the Savior, he was able to walk on water. In other words, with the Savior, he was able to accomplish that which would have otherwise been impossible. But then, once he doubted his ability, even for a split second, he began to sink. The Savior, then lovingly reached out to him, gently rebuking him for his lack of faith.
Have we had similar experiences? Have there been times, in the midst of adversity, when after turning to the Lord, we have received His help just to again doubt, and sink back into the deep and troubled sea? Why is it that after receiving a portion of His assistance, we can't accept Him in full measure? Why is it so hard to keep our eyes always on Him? It is human nature to doubt miracles in our lives, to over analyze, to question. But what would we be capable of accomplishing, if we would look forward, the winds and storms circling around us, and follow the Savior? Would we be capable of walking on water? Wouldn't we be able to achieve our fondest and most righteous desires? The beauty of the story is in the hope it demonstrates: the knowledge that with our Savior, all things are possible.
In verse 24, we read of how the sea was tossed with waves and the wind was contrary. Do you ever feel as if your life could be defined that way? Is your soul ever tossed about and troubled? Do you feel as if the boisterous winds of adversity and the world's philosophies are blowing you to and fro, making it difficult to reach your destination?
In the next verse, Jesus comes to them in the fourth watch. The footnote explains that it would have been between 3 and 6 am. Why had he waited so long to come to them? Could it be, that Peter's experience could not have happened as it did, were he not sufficiently humbled by his trial at sea? Likewise, when we feel alone, we must know that the Lord WILL come to us, when our spirits are ready for the miracle to happen.
When Peter came from the ship, or left behind him his cares, and kept his eyes on the Savior, he was able to walk on water. In other words, with the Savior, he was able to accomplish that which would have otherwise been impossible. But then, once he doubted his ability, even for a split second, he began to sink. The Savior, then lovingly reached out to him, gently rebuking him for his lack of faith.
Have we had similar experiences? Have there been times, in the midst of adversity, when after turning to the Lord, we have received His help just to again doubt, and sink back into the deep and troubled sea? Why is it that after receiving a portion of His assistance, we can't accept Him in full measure? Why is it so hard to keep our eyes always on Him? It is human nature to doubt miracles in our lives, to over analyze, to question. But what would we be capable of accomplishing, if we would look forward, the winds and storms circling around us, and follow the Savior? Would we be capable of walking on water? Wouldn't we be able to achieve our fondest and most righteous desires? The beauty of the story is in the hope it demonstrates: the knowledge that with our Savior, all things are possible.
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