Step Out Of the Boat

Last week I was again inspired by our pastor's message for a blog idea.  (his messages often do that!)  I have used this scripture before, but today am going at it from a different perspective.
Matthew 14:22-33 (HCSB)

Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. After dismissing the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone. But the boat was already over a mile from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them. Around three in the morning, He came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear.

Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”  “Lord, if it’s You,” Peter answered Him, “command me to come to You on the water.”

 “Come!” He said.

And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid. And beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out His hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those in the boat worshiped Him and said, “Truly You are the Son of God!”

We, who believe, walk through life in faith.  Sometimes, however, our faith may be stronger than others.  Sometimes I don't think we realize the status of our faith until it is put to the test, as with Peter. He knew who Jesus was, he walked, talked, ate, lived with him! He had seen miracles occur, Jesus had JUST fed 5000 men (plus women and children) with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish!  Tell me Peter and the rest weren't on a spiritual mountain top!
Now they are in a boat headed across the water and already far enough from land on either side...and it was a rough ride...waves were hammering the boat due to strong winds (must be they didn't check the shipping forecast!😉)
And THEN a figure came WALKING toward them...instead of their first thought being .."Jesus!  Because we know this man can do anything!"  They go to..."it's a ghost!"  Already their faith is wavering.  But Peter, still on that spiritual mountain top...that spiritual "high",  wants proof Jesus is who He says He is....and says.."If it is really you and you command me I will come out there and be able to do as you do!!"  And Jesus simply says "come"  Peter stepped out of the boat and walked across the lake to the other side, chatting away with Jesus......NOT QUITE!   See, here is where ALL of us can relate...Peter stepped out big as you please...walking toward Jesus...all great, all good!  But he began to focus more on what was happening around him than on Christ who is right in front of him. He begins to doubt what he was doing ...doubt the faith that allowed him to get those few steps out of the boat and actually ON the water.  And he cries out "Lord!! Save me!"  Important thing here, he still knows WHO can save him...he still has faith in Jesus as the Lord who can lift him from drowning!
Even when our faith wavers and we feel as if we are drowning in what ever situation we are in, even if we have stepped out in faith and it all seems to be going wrong...we can ALWAYS cry out to Him and He will "reach out His hand and catch hold" of us.

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17

And even in being rebuked Peter was still saved by Jesus. "You of little faith!"  He wanted Peter to understand why he had begun to sink.  He had let his faith be over powered by the circumstances around him..."why do you doubt?"...(my added words) "see what I do?!!" and when they got in the boat He showed Peter and the rest Who was really in control of those waves ALL along! 
He is in control of all that is swirling around you right now!  Don't let your faith in His mighty power and amazing grace be over taken by the storm you are in!

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 1 Corinthians 12:9

Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.  For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:16-17

 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  This is what the ancients were commended for.

 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrews 11:1-3

Eye of the Storm by Ray Stevenson

STEP OUT in faith,
REACH OUT in trust,
HANG ON to truth,
MOVE FORWARD in grace and power!

The Same Power by Jeremy Camp