Water-Walking FaithSample

Water-walkers trust

Trust is powerful and pervasive in all our lives. (Just think about how many times you’ve sat in a chair, slept in a bed, eaten in a restaurant, or flown in a plane – and the role trust played in all these activities.) And yet, we so often struggle to trust God. Peter’s story again stirs our faith, training us in the truth that water-walkers trust.

The account of Peter walking on water is a compelling story of trust on display. Matthew 14:31 tells us that immediately – without any intervening time or space – Jesus reaches out His hand to take hold of Peter when he starts sinking. Perhaps you remember times when you were aware of God stepping in to rescue you immediately. Perhaps you don’t think of God as a God of the immediate, because there have been times when it felt as if God didn’t step in at all, never mind immediately, and you’ve had to reconcile those experiences with your faith in Him as a God who goes ahead of you and hems you in from behind and is never far off in the clouds somewhere. He immediately steps into our circumstances as Emmanuel – God with us.

Mostly, we want God to rescue us from storms. Often, however, He doesn’t take us out of the storm but rather walks with us through the storm – helping us and providing for us – because there are lessons that can only be learned this way. Interestingly, although it was night and their boat was being buffeted by waves, the disciples still recognised Jesus out on the water because they’d done life with Him for years. As we do life with Jesus daily, we’ll get better at recognising Him in our circumstances – stormy or serene.

It’s also important to note that our faith is not in our ability to walk on water. Our faith is in God’s ability to catch us when we fall. You may have fantastic natural abilities and gifts that you tend to rely on or put your faith in, but at some point, your skillset will let you down. Mine too. This week, be intentional about shifting your faith so you’re trusting completely in Jesus.

None of us can tell the future. We never really know what will happen next, or where our next step will take us – but God does, and He’s ready to catch us, immediately, when we fall. Ask yourself honestly: Do I really trust Jesus? Am I trying to walk on water in my own strength? May you rest in the truth that you can’t save yourself, but you have a Saviour. You can’t heal yourself, but you have a Healer. With Jesus, all things are possible, and you can trust Him as you step into all He’s called you to be and do. He loves you faithfully and unconditionally, and He is always nearer and stronger than you think.