“Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water…toward Jesus.” Matthew 14:29 NIV
The Bible says, “‘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” (vv. 28-31 NIV). When you know that you have prayed, prepared, and planned, you must step out and do it. It’s normal to experience fear when you attempt something you have never done before. Perhaps you have read the story of Peter’s attempt to walk on the water and judged him a failure. That’s not so. First, Peter gets an A for being willing to leave his safety zone and do what he had never done before. Second, he experienced the exhilaration of actually walking on water if for only a fleeting moment; no other disciple could boast of that. Third, he learned a valuable lesson: focusing on Jesus rather than your circumstances is essential when attempting the impossible. Fourth, he recognized that his survival depended solely on Jesus. “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” (vv. 30-31 NIV). Jesus didn’t condemn Peter for failing, He just told him he needed to develop greater faith. God won’t let you drown in your mistakes. As long as you keep trusting Him, He will keep working with you until you succeed. He is your heavenly Father, and your success is His success!
The Word for You Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from Celebration Enterprises, Inc. Copyright © 2024
Get daily encouragement straight to your inbox!
Start your day with The Word For You Today—a trusted source of daily encouragement designed to speak right to your heart. Whether you're juggling work, family, or just needing a quiet moment with God, these short, powerful devotionals help you stay grounded in faith and hope. It’s like a gentle nudge from a friend reminding you that God is with you, even in the chaos. Perfect with your morning coffee or during school drop-off downtime, The Word For You Today fits beautifully into your routine and brings spiritual encouragement just when you need it most.