Wave Walkers

“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 14:29-31 (NIV)

The winds of the storm were already raging around the disciple’s boat. When they saw Jesus, they were afraid because they used their position of fear as a filter to see Him through. To ensure it was Jesus, Peter wanted to see if he could walk on water, which he knew was only possible if it truly was Jesus on the water. As Peter walked on water, he suddenly was more aware of the storm than of Jesus. At that very moment is when he started to sink. Even in a place of fear, he called on the name of Jesus to save him.

There are storms that rage around us all the time, both naturally and spiritually. As we fix not only our eyes, but also our faith on Him, we tend to not allow the storm to be more real than Him. Jesus has called us to not be in denial that there are storms raging, but rather to take authority over those storms, while still operating in a place of trust. We cannot overcome our fear until we choose to step out of the “boat” and face the storms head-on with Him as our Guide our Truth and the Only One we seek.

REFLECTION:

1. What is the storm raging around you right now?
2. When you seek Jesus, what is His perspective of your storm?
3. Understanding your authority in Jesus is so important. So today, what way are you using your God-given authority to speak to your storm?
4. How do you choose today to keep your eyes on Him?

DECLARATION: In Jesus’ name we command all raging storms around us to cease. We declare that even amidst a storm we choose to seek You face to face. We choose to put our trust in You as the One who is above all, in all and for all. We declare that our faith is being made stronger even in the storm because we are a courageous people who put their hope in Jesus in all circumstances. Thank you, Jesus, for teaching us to walk on the waves, to render storms inoperable and to teach us to never lose sight of You! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Devotional contributor: Pastor Bethany Lewis