How To Walk On Water
It is just before sunrise and the disciples are standing in a boat on a stormy sea when Jesus comes walking on the water. Can you imagine their wonder — the waves that are violently tossing their boat are literally under His feet. Jesus is walking on the water, unmoved by the raging wind. Peter’s awe turns to question and the Lord answers with one word, “Come.” You might be tempted to criticize Peter for how this short journey ended but the fact is, he walked on water.
It’s been said the best place to be during a storm at sea is on the shore. This is no doubt the safest place but you will miss some amazing experiences in life if your faith always lives on the leash of safety. Perhaps it should be rewritten, the best place to be during a storm is where Jesus is. He might call you to the shore (John 21), He may be with you in the boat (Mark 4) but there are times you will find Him in the storm (Matthew 14). God uses circumstances to provoke us from comfort so we can experience His power in and over the problems in our life.
Peter asked to walk on water but the heart of his question was to know Jesus. Matthew writes, “he walked on the water to go to Jesus” (Matthew 22:29). This was not a publicity stunt. It is the account of an imperfect man but with pure motives, he just wanted to be with Jesus. He felt more peace on the water with the Lord than in the boat without Him. Jesus rewarded his faith and obedience by letting him share in His power over the storm. We often celebrate what happened but we should consider why God allowed it — Peter wanted to be where Jesus was and to do what He was doing. This is the faith God rewarded.
Peter may have been the only person to walk on water but he does not need to be the only person to live this principle. If you want to walk on water, you’ve got to live by faith. The Spirit is calling people everywhere to align their passions and purposes with His. God helped David walk through the dark valley and Peter to walk on water. Can He not do the same for you? By God’s grace you can walk on, over, or through anything to get to Him. The waters of sickness or circumstance cannot stop you. No financial mess is too great and no situation is hopeless. The Lord spoke through the prophet Jeremiah and said, “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).
