(Read Matthew 14:22-33)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. We have been studying the life of the Apostle Peter. Our study brought us to Matthew 14. For the past few weeks we have been dissecting the story of Peter walking on water. Yesterday we looked at the following two verses. The Bible says, “After Peter and Jesus were in the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples in the boat worshiped Jesus and said, “You really are the Son of God.” Yesterday my focus was the disciples who observed, instead of experiencing, Jesus. Today my focus is on the wind and how it did not stop until Jesus was in the boat with the disciples.
Jesus told the disciples to get into the boat and go out ahead of Him. He told them that He would catch up later. The disciples did exactly what Jesus told them to do, but they still faced major opposition. While Jesus was praying, the disciples were in the boat facing harrowing winds. The winds were blowing so hard that the waves beat against the boat and the disciples, many of whom were time-tested fishermen, had a hard time managing the boat. Jesus’ men battled wind and waves for hours while He was praying and the wind did not stop until He got in the boat with them.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- Many times you are in the center of God’s will, doing exactly what He told you to do, and you face opposition. Don’t take the fact that you are facing opposition as an automatic indication that you are outside the will of God. Actually, strong opposition might be an indication that you are in the center of God’s will.
- Divine purpose attracts opposition. The good news is the opposition can’t stop God’s purpose.
- When you receive instructions from God and you are walking them out, opposition comes to see if you will give up before your mission is complete. In other words, the opposition comes to prove your resolve; to see if your faith can stand against the storms of life.
- You are not going to accomplish your divine assignment without facing opposition. Paul said, “Everyone who wants to live a godly life will suffer persecution.” (2 Tim 3:12).
- You can’t accomplish anything of significance in this world without a fighting spirit. Every person God used mightily — people who were anointed to impact their world — had to overcome the pressures, attacks and opposition of the enemy.
- Your desire to do what God said must be greater than your desire for earthly comfort. Are you willing to pay the cost involved in becoming the person God called you to be?
- God has already given you the grace for victory. You have the grace to face whatever you are facing. The only way you can lose is if you quit.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. You made plans for me before the world began, You made those plans by Your grace, and You then gave me the grace to do what You planned. Your grace is already on me and in me for divine success. You have planned the impact I will make in this world. You have already prepared me for my assignment. I now use my faith to access Your grace. I live by faith in relentless pursuit of my divine purpose. Before I die I will arrive at the final destination You have prepared for me, and I will make Kingdom impact along the way. My purpose may attract opposition. If it does, that’s okay, because the same grace that is ON me for my purpose is also ON me to overcome every challenge. I am not moved by challenges, opposition, or the pressures of this world. I am only moved by Your purpose. I will accomplish what You have graced me to accomplish and nothing shall stop me, because stopping me would mean stopping You, and You cannot be stopped! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
