We need to look over our problems to what he has called us to do. One of the most famous portions of scripture is Matthew 14: 22-36 when Peter walked on the water to Jesus. They disciples were sent before Jesus to the other side of the sea so that He could be alone to pray. They obeyed and went, but suddenly found themselves in the middle of storm. The Bible says that the winds were contrary, or against them, and the waves were tossing them about. No doubt, they were struggling to keep the boat afloat! Then, in the fourth watch of the night, they saw Jesus walking on the water to them! Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a trial right after you obeyed the will of God for your life? You have done nothing wrong, but everything seems to be going wrong?That's what happened to the disciples. The Lord SENT them. They had obeyed, and now they seemed to be in trouble! These are simply trials to strengthen us. I Peter 1:7 says,"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perisheth, thought it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." Isn't it interesting that the Lord chose PETER as the one to pen this verse? ;) But notice that Jesus came to them in the fourth watch of the night, this is the darkest hour of the night, just before dawn starts to break! Jesus was walking on TOP of the water! Rest assured, that in our darkest hour, Jesus will come to help us, for we are His children, and He is always on TOP of things! Jeremiah 29:11"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
We need to be looking to Jesus so we can hear Him speak to us.The Lord will not only come to help us, but He will speak encouragement to our hearts. He told them to "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." Peter still had doubts to the One speaking those words. Have you ever been so turned around that you didn't know if that voice from within ,speaking to you, was your own thoughts, or those of the Lord Himself?He asked the Lord if He could come out, in the storm, on the water to Him, to make sure it was him. The Lord said, "Come." We are ALWAYS WELCOME to come to the Lord, into His throne room, for we have access as His child, (Heb 4:16.)We can come to Him in prayer to confirm His voice as He speaks to us.
Lastly, we need to keep our eyes on His Word to stay afloat. Peter stepped out of the boat on faith. He started out right, with His eyes on the Lord, and trusting in the word He had just spoken to him. He was walking, by faith, on the PROMISE of the Lord to him. When the Lord told him to come, that let Peter know he could make it.Only when he put his attention back on the storm itself, did he start to sink.The Lord has promised not to put more on us than we can bear, (I Corinth.10:13.)We can stand, like Peter, on the water, which is HIS WORD, and walk with our eyes on Him. We need to purpose in our hearts to not let circumstances or fear get our attention. It may not be easy, but through faith, it CAN be accomplished. Think about Noah-he was promised to be saved alive in the ark, even though he and his family heard the destruction crashing in around them. The only thing he had to go on was God's promise,or His word (Gen 6:8-22) and a window (Gen. 6:16) to look up out of, which was in the top of the ark, pointed directly to God. They were the only things the Lord provided him, because they were ALL he needed!
As we endeavor to walk here for the Lord, in the path He has chosen for us, may we keep our eyes on Jesus to stay focused on what He has called us to do. Let our eyes see when He is speaking to us, and let us LOOK to His word for His promise, so our faith will be strengthened. So, what are YOU lookin' at?
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