“[looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].”Hebrews 12:2 AMP
During corporate prayer on a recent Sunday, a word was given that it is time for us to step out of the boat, as individuals and as a church family. In doing this, we must assume the risk. There is a sense of foreboding when I step into the unknown. If I can’t see where I’m going, then I really don’t want to go.
In Matthew 14:22-33, the disciples are crossing the sea in their boat. It’s the middle of the night so I doubt they can see much. Somehow though, they do see Jesus as He’s walking on the water towards them. I must say that if I saw anyone walking on water, that person would definitely have my attention. Now the Bible says they were scared. I’ll go a step further and say they were freaking out! They thought they were seeing a ghost. The truth was this was Jesus presenting Himself in a way that they were not familiar with and their first response to the unknown, was fear.
Jesus tells them to not be afraid and to take courage. So, picture this, Jesus is still out on the water in the dark, but He’s comforting them with His voice. Peter recognizes Him. “If it’s really You, tell me to come to You on the water.” “Come,” Jesus replies.
Don’t miss this moment! Even as I write these words, I’m imagining what was going through Peter’s mind as he steps down out of the boat and begins walking on the water (by the way, only two people in recorded history have walked on water: Peter was one, the other was the Son of God)! Now the devotion could end right here about stepping out in faith but let’s go a step further.
The Bible says Peter took his eyes off Jesus and immediately (but slowly) began to sink. He wasn’t focused on Jesus anymore, he was focused on the situation. Fear overwhelmed Peter. His situation became too much. He cried out for Jesus to save him, and He did. They climb into the boat together and all Jesus says is, “Why did you doubt?” Translation: as long as Peter had Jesus in his sights, all was well even in the realm of the impossible. But when Peter became distracted by the winds, it all came undone.
“As long as you have Jesus in your sights, all is well even in the realm of the impossible!”
I truly believe Jesus’s message for this devotion is a simple one: “Hey, eyes on Me!” It’s time to tune out all the distractions and focus on Jesus in every area of our lives. Speaking for myself, I’ve got to have Him! I want to get to a level of relationship with Him that cannot be described. Jesus isn’t where I am safe and secure in myself. No, he’s out there, in the dark, on the water, telling me to “come.”
One last note: A common phrase we’ve all heard is “sink or swim.” It refers to just taking a plunge and figuring things out for better or worse as you go along. Jesus never told us to sink or swim, He’s called us to walk. Walk by faith and walk on the water!
Pray This…
Abba, You are my Rock, my Foundation, my hiding place. You’re also the desire of my heart and You’re telling me to go. I know You’re out of my boat. You’re out there in the dark, on the water, where I cannot possibly go. Except that’s where You are. Bring me to You in Jesus Name! Activate my faith!
IN JESUS NAME! AMEN!
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