(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 about a month we have been dissecting the story of Peter walking on water. I believe this will be our last message on this topic.
We already know Jesus sent His disciples out ahead of Him in a boat. He went off to pray for hours. While Jesus was praying, the Bible says, “Since the wind was blowing against it, the boat was having trouble because of the waves.” The disciples battled the wind and waves for hours. When Jesus was done praying, the Bible says, “Jesus came to them. He was walking on the water.” Notice how the Bible only focuses only on Jesus while He was walking on water. It makes no mention of the wind or waves, even though Jesus obviously had to overcome both.
The Bible then tells us that the disciples saw Jesus, they thought He was ghost, they were afraid, and Jesus told them not to fear. When Peter heard Jesus’ voice he said, “Lord, if that is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus replied, “Come.” The Bible then says, “Peter left the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. But while Peter was walking on the water, he saw the wind and the waves. He was afraid and began sinking into the water. He shouted, “Lord, save me!” Jesus saved Peter, they both got in the boat with the other disciples, and then (and only then) did the wind and waves stop.
So what does this mean to you today? The wind and waves were a problem for the disciples while they were in the boat, causing them to battle the waves for hours. The wind and waves were a problem for Peter while he was walking on water, causing him to lose his focus. But the wind and waves were never a problem for Jesus. The Bible does not even mention the wind and waves when referring to Jesus and His journey on top of the water. Why?
- The Bible is very purposeful. Things are either emphasized or understated/omitted for a reason. The wind and waves were mentioned when referring to the disciples, but not mentioned when referring to Jesus, because the wind and waves were not a factor for Jesus. Jesus was doing what the Father called Him to do and He was not moved by the opposition. You and I can live the same way.
- What you give your attention to matters. Peter gave his attention to the wind and waves. Jesus was in the same environment and He did not. The wind and waves became an issue for Peter, but they were not an issue for Jesus. What are you giving your attention to that God would rather you ignore?
- Don’t focus on the amount of opposition you are facing. Focus on the amount of grace God has already given you to overcome it.
- You can face the same challenges as unbelievers, but you don’t have to face them the same way. By God’s grace you simply walk over what destroys them.
- You don’t have to be limited by or afraid of the challenges of this present world. You are IN the world, but you are not OF it. If you live your life from heaven’s perspective you can face earthly challenges without being moved.
- When you live by faith you are in sync with heaven. This is a much better way to live. When you are in-faith you can look at a situation and not be moved by it, even though you know that same situation would have wrecked your life in the past.
- Are you truly living by faith? If you are you will be in sync with heaven’s power, timing and perspective; and you will not be moved by the challenges you face in this world.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. The more I study Your grace the more confident I am in living by faith. My faith is rooted in my confidence in You, and in Your commitment towards me and the plans You made for me before the world began. Therefore, I am not moved by the challenges I face in this world. Like Jesus, I walk and live by faith. I live my life in sync with heaven. My watch is set to heaven’s clock. I flow in Your power and Your timing. Living this way I am not moved by the challenges of this present world. I can face a challenge that would have destroyed me in the past, and now that same challenge is nothing more than a testimony. I can be in the same place, at the same time, facing the same challenges others face, and by Your grace I am able to WALK OVER what crushes those around me. The opposition I face does not matter. Come what may, I am not moved, I am not shaken, and I am not afraid. I focus on You and You alone! I walk and live by faith, and my faith accesses Your grace so I can live the life I was born to live. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
