As disciples of Christ, we will all encounter scenarios where our faith will be tested. There will be situations where we must make crucial decisions and step out where it doesn’t make sense. However, as you do, your relationship with God will become stronger, and in turn, you too will be able to overcome when doubt threatens to capsize you.
A Walk of Faith (Matthew 14)
Jesus knew the power and influence of God. In one miraculous story, Jesus feeds five thousand people with only five loaves of bread and two fish (Matthew 14). (And that number doesn’t even account for the women and children in attendance!)
Following this great event, in Matthew 14:22-29, Jesus sends his disciples ahead of Him from Capernaum to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. In obedience to their Rabbi, the disciples load the boat and head toward the other side.
During the early hours of the morning, the disciples witness a figure coming to them and realize that it is Jesus, walking to them on top of the water! Now, these men are awestruck and afraid of what they are seeing. (As a grown man with my friends, I surely would not be the first to react in fear!)
Well, among this comrade of brothers, Peter—fast-talking Peter—is the first one to act and challenges Jesus to command him to walk toward Him on the water. So Jesus does so, and Peter performs the miracle of walking on water.
Now, based on Peter’s track record, he doesn’t always make sound choices, and that gives him somewhat of a bad rap. However, in this instance, I believe there is something to be learned from his impulsive behavior.
Just as he did with Peter, I believe Jesus is calling us to step outside of the boat.
5 Things to Consider As You Step Out in Faith
Where in your life are you choosing your comfort level over accomplishing hard things?
For many, regular schedules and predictability leave us sitting stagnant. Perhaps you are happy living your life as the sole decision maker, or maybe it feels most natural to worry and strive instead of releasing your troubles to God. And do you know why? Because we know what to expect.
However, God is calling us to leave our comfort zones so that He can use us in miraculous ways to advance the Kingdom of heaven.
Together, let’s explore 5 things to consider as we intentionally step out in faith.
Make a Decision
“And Peter answered Him and said, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ So He said, ‘Come,’ And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.”
Matthew 14:28-29, NKJV
When Jesus called Peter to step out of the boat, he didn’t do so against his free will; he made a decision to do it. He wasn’t pushed or pulled. He stepped over the side of the boat because he needed to step out in faith and go to Jesus.
Have you been pondering over an opportunity or wrestling with God about a next step? I challenge you to stop talking about it and make a move!
Break your cycle of routine, choose more than mediocrity, and get uncomfortable for the sake of a renewed faith.
Stay Focused
“But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.”
Matthew 14:24-25, NKJV
If we are to live completely surrendered to God, we must stay focused on what He has asked us to do.
As soon as Jesus called Peter to come to him, he was met with less than ideal circumstances. The boat was in the middle of a body of water (vs. 24), there were active waves and currents all around him (vs. 24), and it was pitch dark, most likely between the hours of 3 AM and 6 AM (vs. 25).
Saint, let me encourage you: the best time to make a move is when it doesn’t seem like the right time! We can’t predict the future as we endure fluctuating economic resources, untrustworthy government leaders, and broken relationship statuses. But one thing is for certain: it is always a good time to respond to the voice of God!
Ignore the Doubters
“And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.’”
Matthew 14:26-27, NKJV
The other disciples in the boat chose to partner with their fear. Keep in mind that when you are wrestling with your faith, doubters will be watching and will voice their opinions. Any time you make a decision to move forward in whatever God has called you to, someone will question you.
Family members won’t support you, friends won’t understand, and co-workers will think you’re crazy. Take heart; it takes a person of faith to do something no one else will do. So, what will you choose: will you sit within the safety parameters of your boat, or will you step over the side?
Surrender to God
“So He said, ‘Come,’ And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.”
Matthew 14:29, NKJV
There is not one human who can defy the odds of gravity on Earth, and yet, Peter did the unexplainable! He didn’t dive in the water, he walked on it. And God can empower you to accomplish something you are incapable of doing in your own strength when you surrender to His will.
Cease the Day
Peripateō, the Greek word for walk in this passage of scripture, can be defined as to make due use of opportunities. When we hear from God, we must choose to cease the moment and take advantage of the occasion before us.
Now, you may be thinking, “But pastor, I heard the call of God twenty years ago and I didn’t obey!” Be encouraged; God is a God of second chances, and you will have another opportunity coming.
He is faithful to help you run your own business. He will empower you to serve in ministry. He will help you in your broken marriage. All you have to do is take courage and step out of the boat.
Release Your Fear
“So He said, ‘Come,’ And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’”
Matthew 14:29-30, NKJV
Here we can observe that going over the side of the boat didn’t evoke fear, rather, it was the circumstance around him. As Peter began sinking, he became aware of the wind.
But let me ask you: have you ever seen the wind? Some may argue yes, but I disagree. You have definitely seen the effects of wind but never wind itself. Keep in mind that as you encounter spiritual storms, the devil will cause you to see things you have never seen before.
When you release your fear to God, He will give you a lens and a perspective to see truth.
“Keep Your Eyes On Jesus!”
Many scholars, teachers, and believers convey that Peter began to sink because he took his eyes off Jesus. However, God’s word didn’t say that. Verse 30 says that Peter began to sink because he was afraid.
To insist that people keep their eyes on Jesus implies that by doing so, they will be protected from the hardship around them. (In my opinion, these people are simply super spiritual.) Be cautious of this thought process, as it will cause you to be blind to the circumstances you are walking through!
I don’t know about you, but I want to know when I am about to lose my home or if my marriage is falling apart. God wants us to be observant of our surroundings because it is then that our testimony is being built!
How To Handle Fear
“But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’ And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God.’”
Matthew 14:30-33, NKJV
Taking leaps of faith comes with its own challenges. In fact, one of the mistakes the greater church makes is allowing new believers to think that once they accept Christ as their Lord and Savior, they won’t encounter hardship. And that couldn’t be further from the truth!
Once Peter stepped out of the boat, he made it about halfway to Jesus and began to sink. He couldn’t grab onto the boat; he was in the middle of his fear. So what can we do when we find ourselves in the same place? We open our prayer line!
I love that Peter didn’t pray a wordy, extravagant prayer; it was simple: “Lord, save me!” God doesn’t need the intricate details of your situation—He already knows! And Jesus immediately saved him.
If there is anything you can take note of, it is this: your hand may not be long enough to reach Jesus, but his armspan is plenty! You, dear child of God, are never beyond the grasp of God.
He wants to do immeasurably more than you can think or imagine, but it takes an act of courage. It requires you to step out of the boat. Trust Him and He will meet you right in the middle of your sea.
For more on walking in faith, check out Pastor Jenkins’ sermon: It’s Time to Get Out of the Boat.
