| Believing...Matthew 14:28-31 By Timothy W. Burnett Believing God's word brings powerfully dynamic results. That's because God is the author of His word, and to this day He is still able to back His word. Now let's learn from the believing of Jesus Christ and one of his disciples. Jesus Christ just finished teaching over 5000 people. Later he sent his disciples to the other side of a sea, while he went up to a nearby mountain to pray alone. Still in the ship, his disciples contended with hostile winds. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto the disciples. He didn't hop in a boat to do this. Instead he walked on top of the water. Jesus did not dream this up on his own. He was responsible for doing God's will. So when he stepped out onto the water for a stroll to his disciples, it was because God gave revelation to do so. This is the context of Matthew 14:28-31. Verse 28, "And Peter said, 'Lord if it be thou will, bid me come unto thee on the water.'" He knew if Jesus gave the word by authority from God, then it would come to pass. Verse 29, "And he said, 'Come.' And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water to go to Jesus." Peter was fully persuaded that when he stepped out, his feet would stand solidly on the water. He believed. Verse 30, "But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, 'Lord save me.'" At first Peter had his eyes focused on the Lord Jesus Christ. Next he turned his eyes toward the hostile forces of nature. He immediately became afraid and began to sink. As fear and doubt defeated Peter's ability to walk on the water, so also will it defeat anybody's ability to receive from God. Look at Jesus' response. Verse 31, "And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand and caught him, and said unto him, ' O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?'' After grabbing Peter, Jesus began to teach him that doubt defeated his ability to continue walking on the water. We have God's word written for the Body of Christ today, "Ye are of God little children, and have overcome them, because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1John 4:4). While facing the troubles of this world, stay focused on God's promise and not distracted by troublesome winds. We can approach every situation in life being fully persuaded that what God promised He is able also to perform. |