Walking on Water with Faith: Sunday Devotion

Matthew 14: 25-31 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.  When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?

This past year, the world have been buffeted by the winds and waves of the coronavirus. We are still finding our way out of this storm, and as a fully-vaccinated person, I am hopeful that one day, this virus will be handled, just like the flu and measles.

But, so many jobs and businesses have been lost. These are people who have been self-sufficient and accustomed to taking care of themselves. But even the hardiest of us can find ourselves in storms that can materialize suddenly and without warning. Certainly, we were not prepared for a pandemic that ceased normality in nearly all of the world.

But, we can take courage even in these difficult times, because we know that we are not alone. Jesus sees our struggles, and He says loudly, “Don’t be afraid! I am here!” Like Peter, sometimes we wonder that if Jesus is truly whom He says that He is, then why don’t we see changes in our lives and situations? These are the times when we must like Peter get out of the boat and walk on water, believing that Jesus is exactly whom He says he is, a provider, a deliverer, a rescuer, and a very present help in times of trouble.

Don’t let the seeming enormity of the wind and the waves of your troubles and trials cause you to lose your faith or to doubt His saving ability or our ability as people made in His image to do what seems impossible. Instead, walk on water, knowing He is there to catch you if you start to fall.

I am so glad that Jesus grabbed Peter before he sank, and that when Peter called out to Jesus for salvation, Jesus didn’t think that He needed to let Peter sink to learn a lesson in trust. No, Jesus reached out His hand and caught Peter. What a refreshing and encouraging moment to reflect on!

Jesus is still the only mediator between humans and God the Father. Don’t doubt Him today, but believe on the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and keep walking on water, letting your faith show and grow with each step, certain that in the worst of times and situations, we do not walk alone.