Walking By Faith - Not A Walk In The Park

"Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?" - Matthew 14:28-31

Walking by faith is more like climbing a steep mountain trail. Lately, I have been reading about a number of hikers getting in trouble and needing to be rescued. They start out OK and things become difficult. Unexpected things happen. They are in trouble with no help in sight. That is similar to what happens to many Christians when they strike out on a "mission from God" and forget that what they are doing is totally dependent upon the power of God and totally independent upon their own abilities. It is one thing to acknowledge God's call and another to walk in submission to the power of God.

That is what happened to Peter. Jesus called him out of the boat - at Peter's request if you recall - it seemed like a good idea - so long as he was able to focus on Jesus. But the waves got his attention and then the realization that people cannot walk on water. His focus shifted from Jesus to himself and the stroll he began suddenly became impossible. He did what all humans do when they try to walk on the water - gravity takes over and they sink.

Jesus asked a rhetorical question. "Why did you doubt?" He didn't expect an answer but did expect Peter to think about what just happened.  To walk by faith, we must keep our eyes fixed on the One who called us out of the boat. So, what happened next? 

"Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down." - Matthew 14:31-32

Jesus caught Peter's hand and went back to the boat together - walking on the water - together. And so it is with us. A lesson I have learned over the past 20 years, in particular, is that God never calls Martie and me to something that we can do on our own - it always requires the power of God. The path He sets our feet on is steep and difficult - impossible really - apart from His presence and power. We did because our faith is weak - we trust in ourselves way too much and in God way too little.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone