I have used some of this scripture in a blog "Step Out Of the Boat (Coffeetime With A Dear Friend Nov 27, 2017)
But I am going in a little bit of a different direction this time.
In some of my devotions and in my thoughts Peter kept popping up.
I thought about the times when Peter's doubt and uncertainty and fear got the better of him....when he did not have his focus on Christ.
📖 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “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?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:23-33
Peter focused more on the storm than on Jesus who was right in front of him.
📖 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said. A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. Luke 22:54-62
Peter was first at a distance, and then lost sight of Jesus all together, figuratively, if not literally. He actually had forgotten the words that Jesus spoke predicting what would happen.
📖 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:
“‘I will strike the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. Matthew 26:31-35
Peter forgot this conversation where he so adamantly denied running, leaving or disavowing Jesus.
Peter's history with Jesus was a strong one:
📖 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20
When Jesus was standing right in front of Peter and his brother Andrew and said; "Come follow Me." it says "at once" they dropped everything and followed Him. It doesn't say they doubted or were afraid. They left their life behind and followed.
Even in the garden, when Jesus was arrested, Peter drew a sword and cut off a man's ear defending Jesus!
📖 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” John 18:10-11
I believe Jesus, being who He was, knew Peter inside and out and knew his heart;
📖 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:15-19
Jesus, knowing that Peter would have fear and doubt, also knew Peter's heart and what he would accomplish for the kingdom, despite the times in which he would lose focus.
I find great relief in that! because I lose my focus, and let the storms and fear take over and I begin to sink. EVEN when I am one of His defenders and cheerleaders!
Peter was actually in the physical presence of Jesus....how can we do that today?
We DO have access to Him, actually in more ways than Peter did. Peter couldn't physically BE with Jesus 24/7, every moment. Time or distance or crowds, could cause him to lose sight of Him, to separate them. Like us fear and circumstance also caused Peter to lose sight.
BUT we can pray and worship and spend time with Jesus any moment that we need to!
We have His words at our fingertips....especially in this digital age....we can read His words at any given moment. We can memorize them to recall them when we don't have access to the written word.
We have only to call out His name and He is there, waiting for us to focus on Him.
but it is something that we need to practice every day. Practice being in, remaining in, His presence,
so that even if the storm is great, the evil around us is stifling, the crowds seem to be pushing against us....we have the assurance that we are in His presence; because we have practiced being there!
We will not sink below the depths, we will not be overcome by the waves, will not let fear direct us.
Even if we doubt we know that we can be forgiven, and we can move forward and continue to serve our Savior, and accomplish much for the Kingdom!
🙏My prayer for you today...is that you FIX YOUR EYES on JESUS no matter the circumstances around you. That you let Him carry you through the storm.❤
📖 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
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