Get Out of Your Boat!
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.†And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.†He said, “Come.†Matthew 14:27-29a (ESV)
A rather frightening scene... the disciples are a long way from shore, the winds are battering them, the waves are tossing them, it's hours until dawn and they can probably barely see through the spray and the darkness. These circumstances breed fear, uncertainty, perhaps hopelessness in them. And then, from the storm, from the darkness comes His voice... "Come."
Often times, our stand for our marriage may seem similar to this story in Matthew. We may not be able to see the "shore" of marriage restoration, we may be opposed by the "winds" of circumstance, we may be battered by the "waves" of opposition from other people... and yet through all of this, if we quiet ourselves and listen, we can hear our Shepherd's voice... "Come."
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27 (ESV)
Jesus promises us that He will speak to us, if we will listen. We must take our eyes off of the storm that is raging all around us and focus on Him, and upon His voice. He is calling to us... "Come." Will we answer?
To the disciples, that boat seemed safe... they knew it, they could touch it, feel it... it made sense to them. In many ways we rely on our own "boats" in our stands. A book we read that gives us a "to-do" list that promises to work, or a program that gives us a step-by-step process to fix our marriages. Perhaps your "boat" is the advice of well meaning (but misguided) friends and family. They seem familiar, safe, they make logical sense... but by relying on them are we missing something more? Does our Savior want to do something amazing, if we would only trust in him?
So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. Matthew 14:29b (ESV)
What happens next makes no logical sense whatsoever. The other disciples probably thought Peter was crazy to do what he was about to do. Radical, risky, total and complete faith in what his Lord was capable of. Jesus had called, and he was going to trust Him. In the same way, people may tell you that you are just plain nuts for your stand, that it's impossible, that you should trust in earthly things that can be touched, felt, seen with the naked eye.
But just like Peter, if we listen to logic, to the world, to other people we may just miss out on the most amazing miracles. Is Jesus calling you to step out in faith, to leave something that seems safe, and secure... or at least familiar and visible... and to trust Him. Who is more reliable? The question may seem foolish, but ask yourself... where is your trust... are you still in the boat?
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.†Matthew 14:30 (ESV)
Even if we have made the decision to step out of our boats in faith, we still must keep our eyes on Jesus. We cannot focus on our circumstances, or grasp back to the boat lest we begin to sink in the ocean of fear and doubt. Peter took his eyes off Jesus, his faith faltered and so did his step. He began to sink... but notice HE REALIZED IT IMMEDIATELY! As soon as he realizes what is happening he turns right back to Jesus. We are human, and we too can falter in our walk... but look back to Him who called you out of the boat!!
Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" Matthew 14:31 (ESV)
What happens next is my favorite part of this passage of scripture, and it's easy to miss, I think. What does Jesus do when Peter calls to Him? He IMMEDIATELY reaches out His hand and takes hold of him. There is no delay, there is no "letting him learn his lesson.†Jesus hears his cry and rescues him from sinking right then and there.
If we've stepped out in faith, if we have listened to Jesus’ voice but we falter and begin to sink, ALL IS NOT LOST! Cry out to Jesus, He is right there ready to lift us up. He will reach out immediately for us and provide us the support and reassurance that we need. He will remind us that there is no reason to doubt Him or what He has said to us!
So I challenge you, have you heard Jesus’ voice? Have you heard God calling you out of your boat? Are you looking at the wind, waves and darkness instead of to your Lord and Savior? If He is calling you, answer Him. Step out in faith and see what God has in store for you!
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6
Believe that God will reward you seeking Him. Believe that He is there, in the midst of the storm ready to rescue you. Trust in your God... He is bigger than any storm or wave, He is never far, and He is never caught off guard.
May God bless you and speak to you. May He lead you safely to the shores of a restored marriage, and may you listen and obey when you hear His voice.
Out of the boat in Pennsylvania,
Patrick
Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.†And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.†He said, “Come.†Matthew 14:27-29a (ESV)
A rather frightening scene... the disciples are a long way from shore, the winds are battering them, the waves are tossing them, it's hours until dawn and they can probably barely see through the spray and the darkness. These circumstances breed fear, uncertainty, perhaps hopelessness in them. And then, from the storm, from the darkness comes His voice... "Come."
Often times, our stand for our marriage may seem similar to this story in Matthew. We may not be able to see the "shore" of marriage restoration, we may be opposed by the "winds" of circumstance, we may be battered by the "waves" of opposition from other people... and yet through all of this, if we quiet ourselves and listen, we can hear our Shepherd's voice... "Come."
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27 (ESV)
Jesus promises us that He will speak to us, if we will listen. We must take our eyes off of the storm that is raging all around us and focus on Him, and upon His voice. He is calling to us... "Come." Will we answer?
To the disciples, that boat seemed safe... they knew it, they could touch it, feel it... it made sense to them. In many ways we rely on our own "boats" in our stands. A book we read that gives us a "to-do" list that promises to work, or a program that gives us a step-by-step process to fix our marriages. Perhaps your "boat" is the advice of well meaning (but misguided) friends and family. They seem familiar, safe, they make logical sense... but by relying on them are we missing something more? Does our Savior want to do something amazing, if we would only trust in him?
So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. Matthew 14:29b (ESV)
What happens next makes no logical sense whatsoever. The other disciples probably thought Peter was crazy to do what he was about to do. Radical, risky, total and complete faith in what his Lord was capable of. Jesus had called, and he was going to trust Him. In the same way, people may tell you that you are just plain nuts for your stand, that it's impossible, that you should trust in earthly things that can be touched, felt, seen with the naked eye.
But just like Peter, if we listen to logic, to the world, to other people we may just miss out on the most amazing miracles. Is Jesus calling you to step out in faith, to leave something that seems safe, and secure... or at least familiar and visible... and to trust Him. Who is more reliable? The question may seem foolish, but ask yourself... where is your trust... are you still in the boat?
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.†Matthew 14:30 (ESV)
Even if we have made the decision to step out of our boats in faith, we still must keep our eyes on Jesus. We cannot focus on our circumstances, or grasp back to the boat lest we begin to sink in the ocean of fear and doubt. Peter took his eyes off Jesus, his faith faltered and so did his step. He began to sink... but notice HE REALIZED IT IMMEDIATELY! As soon as he realizes what is happening he turns right back to Jesus. We are human, and we too can falter in our walk... but look back to Him who called you out of the boat!!
Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" Matthew 14:31 (ESV)
What happens next is my favorite part of this passage of scripture, and it's easy to miss, I think. What does Jesus do when Peter calls to Him? He IMMEDIATELY reaches out His hand and takes hold of him. There is no delay, there is no "letting him learn his lesson.†Jesus hears his cry and rescues him from sinking right then and there.
If we've stepped out in faith, if we have listened to Jesus’ voice but we falter and begin to sink, ALL IS NOT LOST! Cry out to Jesus, He is right there ready to lift us up. He will reach out immediately for us and provide us the support and reassurance that we need. He will remind us that there is no reason to doubt Him or what He has said to us!
So I challenge you, have you heard Jesus’ voice? Have you heard God calling you out of your boat? Are you looking at the wind, waves and darkness instead of to your Lord and Savior? If He is calling you, answer Him. Step out in faith and see what God has in store for you!
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6
Believe that God will reward you seeking Him. Believe that He is there, in the midst of the storm ready to rescue you. Trust in your God... He is bigger than any storm or wave, He is never far, and He is never caught off guard.
May God bless you and speak to you. May He lead you safely to the shores of a restored marriage, and may you listen and obey when you hear His voice.
Out of the boat in Pennsylvania,
Patrick
Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.
