I have long aspired to be more like the unshakeable Joseph or the submissive Ruth, but in reality, I’m probably a lot more like the impetuous fisherman from Galilee, Simon Peter—passionate, ambitious, headstrong—and I’m learning to be okay with that, because Jesus saw something of great value in Peter. In fact, he has become one of my favorite biblical personalities in these past three years.
In the book of Matthew, we find a fantastic eyewitness account of Peter’s water-walk. Imagine the scene. You’re one of the disciples and you’ve just been part of the miraculous feeding of thousands of hungry people. Jesus wants to be alone to pray, so He sends you on ahead in the boat. Into the dark. Into the storm. On purpose.
Just before dawn, when the sky is still black and the waves are rough, you see someone walking toward you, on top of the tempestuous sea! Jesus identifies himself, and suddenly, your friend, Eager Peter, calls out, “Lord, if it’s you, call me out on the water.”
Jesus simply replies, “Come.” And, to everyone’s amazement (sort of,) Peter steps off the boat in faith, ready to walk with the Lord, wherever He leads.
Until things get too rough out there.
Perhaps the ol’ fisherman had underestimated the depth of the waters or the strength of the storm, but that’s unlikely. More likely, in his passion to follow Jesus, he had been a bit hasty—as usual. Clearly, the others had been wiser not to volunteer for such a stunt, right? Whatever the reason, when Peter saw the strength of the wind, his courage failed, and he went under.
I’ve been there.
But here’s my favorite part. Before his head even plunges under the waves, Peter calls out to Jesus. Fear may have gotten the better of him, but he knows where his help comes from. Peter’s feet of faith faltered, but Jesus? Never!
Immediately, you see Jesus reach out and catch him, and you hear Him ask, “Why did you doubt?” Then you look on with wide-eyed wonder as Jesus and Peter walk together, on the crashing waves, all the way back to the boat.
Only then does Jesus calm the storm.
Don’t miss this: the boat wasn’t Peter’s safe place. Jesus was.
Peter’s faith has grown. Your faith has grown. Everyone on the ship is now worshiping Jesus, saying, “Truly, You are the Son of God.” And you all realize that, when you walk in obedience, there is nothing to fear.
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Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Saviour
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So many times I sang this prayer, asking Jesus to bid me come, yet I never imagined where that step off the boat would take me. I never anticipated so many would be watching. I never comprehended the depth of faith there was to be found out in the dark unknown. I suppose I will never fully plumb those depths. What I do know is that the Lord of the storm would not—could not—fail. Not this time. Not ever.
Would I have chosen this storm? Never in a million years. But this was the tempest He called me into. And I’d rather have stronger faith in His presence than the comfort of any vessel apart from Him. Even when my faith falters and fear surrounds me, I still choose to sing, “Call me out upon the waters.”
Whatever that looks like. However long it takes for the Master to calm the storm.
Because the boat is not my safe place. He is.
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So I will call upon Your Name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
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(“Oceans” lyrics by songwriters:
Joel Houston / Matt Crocker / Salomon Lighthelm)