Week 3 - Trust & Obey | Day 19

SCRIPTURE - MATTHEW 14:22-23

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

OBSERVATION

Far out in the middle of the Sea of Galilee, the disciples found themselves caught in a brutal storm. Facing strong winds and massive waves, they feared for their lives. But in the middle of the storm, they saw Jesus walking on the water. He walked on the very thing they feared.  When Jesus called Peter to come to Him, Peter obeyed and, for a moment, walked on the water with Him. But the miracle lasted only as long as his eyes were on Jesus. Once his attention shifted to the wind and the waves, fear took over, and he began to sink. Even then, Peter cried out for help. He may have doubted his ability to stand on the water, but he still trusted that Jesus could save him from it.  Just like Peter, Jesus calls us to walk through the storms of our lives as well. The things we’re afraid of and the things that feel impossible are the very things He has power over. Even when it feels like we’re sinking, there is no storm Jesus can’t save us from. When our focus is on the power of the storm, we start to fall. But when our focus is on the power of God over the storm, we can do the impossible with Him.

APPLICATION

The storm the disciples were in didn’t go away as soon as Jesus appeared to them. He didn’t offer an instant escape from the storm. Instead, He invited Peter to walk on it with Him. In the same way, Jesus invites us to walk on the storms in our lives. That doesn’t mean that they get easier. It means that we can stand instead of sink, have courage instead of fear, and obey Him even when it seems impossible. 

What has your focus been on? The size of the waves or the One who walks on them? God has power over any diagnosis, financial setback, broken marriage, or whatever else you may be facing. Maybe it feels like you’ve already started to sink, or like the situation you’re in is too far gone. If so, have faith that God is bigger than any storm. Just as He saved Peter, Jesus can lift you above anything that you’re going through. When we focus on Jesus instead of the waves, and obey Him when He calls us to step out, we can walk on the storm with Him. 

PRAYER

Today, ask God to help you keep your focus on Him instead of the storms around you. Pray that He would give you the courage to obey when He calls you to step out. Whatever you're facing, ask Him to strengthen your trust in His power over it. 

God, thank you that by focusing on you, I can walk through the storms in my life. I trust that you have power over everything I face. Help me obey you and take a step of faith when you call. Amen. 

---

If you haven't signed up yet to receive our daily devotional, you can text 21DAYS to (469) 817-9977