OUR FATHER WHO IS PLEASED WHEN WE WALK IN FAITH

The Lord Jesus instructed His disiciples to get in a  boat and cross to the other side of the Sea of Galillee as He released the crowds.  He then went to up a mountain alone to pray. 

Out on the water, the winds kicked up and the boat was being tossed by the waves.

Matthew chapter 14 verses 22 - 33 tells the events on the sea of Galillee.

22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

Jesus, having prayed into the night, set out after the disciples who had left nine or more hours before in the boat. 

In the darkness of between 3:00 am and 6:00 am, they spotted a figure walking towards them on the water and they concluded that a ghost was coming after them and they exclaimed in terror.

Jesus called out to them and reassured them that it was He and Peter, wanting proof of His identity, asked that if it was Jesus they were seeing, He should command that Peter get out of the boat and walk on the water too.

Peter was summoned and so he stepped out of the boat and began to tread on the surface of the water. He was successfully walking towards Jesus until the violent wind gusts caught his attention and his confidence faltered and he began to sink.

Jesus walked up to him as he descended into the water and grabbed his arm and said, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" . 

With these words, Jesus revealed the primary dynamic of walking in faith. 

If we have stepped out in faith and are now treading on the surface of the water, we must keep our nerves calm and keep moving forward. As we walk, there will be threats and dangers presented on either side of us by the kingdom of darkness that are designed to make us second-guess what we heard and what we are doing. If we take the bait and consider the harm that surrounds us and question the wisdom of being out on the open water following the Lordˋs commands, our faith will disolve and we will sink.

The Lord had to intervene to save Peter and once they were in the boat, the storm calmed down and the disciples who wittnessed these things from the boat worshiped Jesus and acknowledged that He was who He had been saying He was; The Son of God.

Amen.

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