Hey everybody, soon we’ll be able to get back to church and see one another face to face.  But even then, we’ll have to continue to be mindful of certain choices we make, even as we are doing now. 

Speaking of choices, in Matt. 14:24-31, Peter illustrated something important about making choices when he chose to walk on the water to Jesus:  The boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night He(Jesus) came to them, walking on the sea… Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matt. 14:24-31 (NAS).

Notice that Peter waited for Jesus to command him to come to Him on the water.  When Jesus commanded him saying “Come!”, Peter fully obeyed.  He was fully committed to obeying Jesus.  He truly believed in Jesus and believed what Jesus said.  And that’s what obedience to Jesus is.  Obeying Jesus is believing Jesus.  Believing Him is obeying Him.

Also notice that Peter obeyed Jesus in the middle of high winds and high waves.  It’s interesting to me that instead of asking Jesus to command the winds and the waves to stop, as we so often pray, Peter asked Jesus to command him to walk to Him on the water in the middle of the turbulent winds and waves. 

I don’t believe Peter was trying to show off.  I really believe Peter loved Jesus and wanted to be like Him.  He wanted to “walk” with Jesus through the contrary winds and waves.  And that’s the “believing in Jesus” kind of choice to make.  God’s command and therefore His will is not always to stop the turbulence in our lives, but His command, His will is that we always go to Jesus and walk with Him in the middle of the turbulence. 

In His prayer for all those who follow Him Jesus prayed, “ Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” John 17:24 (NAS).  Jesus declared, “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; …” John 12:26 (NAS).  And if we want to live a life which produces lasting fruit for eternity, Jesus said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4 (NAS).  Jesus wants us to come to Him and walk with Him through the storms in our lives.

Peter believed in Jesus and obeyed His command, and he walked on water.  Thereafter Peter’s problem was his inconsistency of faith and he began to sink, but he was saved by Jesus.

When we take steps to immediately trust and obey the Lord, miraculous things can happen.  And if we keep our eyes on Jesus, our faith will eclipse our fear.