What Happened When Peter (almost) Walked On Water?

When I was a kid, I tried to water ski barefoot. It looked so easy.

As I sailed around a corner on two skis, I jumped out of the skis.  That first step was a lulu!  I went straight down and face-planted in the water.  DUMB.

We often jump out into perilous circumstances.  We are over-confident, even in our own faith.

Peter did that.  He leaped out of the boat… and actually walked to Jesus on the water!

Remember these principles the next time you are tempted to get into something “over your head.”

1. Be sure you received a word from the Lord.

There is “faith, foolishness, and presumption.”  CHRIST told Peter to “Come.”

Never act on anything the Lord has not spoken directly to you to do.  Others can suggest and encourage you to step out, but why are they so comfortably remaining in the boat?

Action, without having a word, is presumption.

Israel tried to go up against the giants and were soundly defeated.  Why?  God had told them He would not be with them.  

Get a Word.

2. Be sure to keep your eyes on Christ.

Fear and panic enter when we look at the waves.

Christ’s eyes are our Peace.  His face is our Calm.  When we remain “in Christ,” we see ourselves above the storm.  We see ourselves in the Throne Room with Christ.

Practice peace by keeping your eyes and thoughts on “Christ.”

3. Build your faith with small conquests.

Peter meant well.  He was gung-ho.  He just jumped out of the boat at the sight of Christ walking on the water.

I find that young believers often attempt things because they heard of a dramatic exploit that another believer achieved.

Start by praying in the money for a utility bill before you leap off a boat… in a storm… in the middle of a lake.

Don’t start with something life-threatening!  Start with small victories and build your faith.

“Oh, you of LITTLE FAITH.”

4. Recognize the reality of DOUBT.

We don’t like to admit that we doubt.  We wonder why God didn’t come through

It can’t be us.  It couldn’t be us. It’s God who failed to show up.

Jesus wasn’t the problem.  Faith wasn’t the problem.  Jesus put His finger right on the problem:

“Why did YOU doubt?”

We all fight it.  We are natural, human, scientifically oriented beings. Conquer your doubt.  Call it what it is.  Build your faith every day, feeding on and meditating on Scriptural promises.

Overcome doubt with words.  Athletes overcome their self-doubt before a contest with three words:  “I’ve got this.”

Tell yourself every day who you are.  You are a believer, not a doubter.  You are a child of God, an heir of God, a joint-heir with Christ.

You are strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  You are more than a conqueror.

Feed your faith, starve your doubts.

Next time, you’ll be ready when the Master says, “Come.”