Taking God at His word by faith
About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water. “Yes, come,” Jesus said. Matthew 14:25-29
Stepping out in faith can demonstrate how every believer is maturing in their spiritual life. God delights in seeing His children growing in their faith in Him. You begin your Christian life with baby steps of faith but God expects that you will take more than just baby steps. From the text, in the previous passages (vv. 13-21), the disciples did not show confidence that God could feed the crowd. God tested their faith but they were not willing to fully trust Him. When God calls us to do something that seemed to be impossibility, He wants us to follow so we can grow in our faith. After He fed the five thousand miraculously, He brought His disciples to another instance so that their faith could be tested. This time it seemed that only Peter was willing to take courage and allow God to work in His lack of faith. Here he was seeing the Lord Jesus Christ walking on top of the water; he called out to him so he could come to God. But as soon as he realized the power of the wind and the waves, once again he demonstrated a lack of confidence in God. He started to sink and the Lord Jesus Christ had to grab him so he could continue to walk on the water. God commanded the wind and the waves to subside proving to His disciples that they could trust Him and having faith in God will help overcome fear. Faith will always be tested. God does not want us to be comfortable where we are that we will not step out faith when God calls us to do so. When you let doubt and fear overcome your faith in God you will be disappointed and paralyze that you will not be able to take the next step. From Peter’s experience we realize that God is never beyond our reach and that He is there to rescue us when we are about to sink. Do not deprive yourself of not growing in faith just because you are comfortable where you are. Do not miss out on the blessing that He wants you to enjoy that only comes when you are willing to trust Him. So when asked by God to obey, fix your eyes on Him and be assured that He will see to it that you will arrive safely.
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman
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