Like A Rock

• Printable Version - Share on Facebook - Posted by Dion Todd June 20, 2015 - Filed in Devotional - 11,773 views

  In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, Its a ghost! and they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying Cheer up! I AM! Dont be afraid. Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters. He said, Come! Peter stepped down from the boat, and walked on the waters to come to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord, save me! Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, You of little faith, why did you doubt? When they got up into the boat, the wind ceased. Matthew 14:2432 WEB
  
  Obeying the word of the Lord, Peter got out of the boat and the water became solid underneath his feet when they touched it. Peter started walking across the surface of the water towards Jesus and must have thought, This is amazing! I am actually walking on water! Then the wind started blowing harder against him and he thought, Hey wait, this is crazy! What am I doing? And like a rock, when Peter began to waver and doubt, he began to sink into the water.
  
  Doubt literally means divided in two. Faith and doubt are polar opposites. Faith is single-mindedly focused on Jesus regardless of the circumstances around you. When they got into the boat, Jesus asked Peter, Why did you doubt? Apparently Peters point of failure was doubt. Whether he doubted himself, his ability to do it, or if he had heard the Lord had actually call him at all, is not clear. What is clear is that he was walking on water, but then doubt sunk him.
  
  Sometimes the Lord calls us to do something and we step out in faith, but then resistance comes. If you do anything meaningful, resistance will come. It becomes scary and the wind really starts to blow against us. At this point we can keep our eyes on Jesus and stay the course, or begin to doubt and sink like a rock.
  
  Today, forget the wind. Focus on Jesus and keep taking those steps that He called you to do. Do not be distracted by the noise and things that go on around you. Get up, keep going, take the next step. Fear and doubt are your enemies. Push them out of your mind and refresh yourself with scripture. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).
  
  Prayer: Father I pray that you strengthen my faith, build me up, shape me into what I need to be. Teach me, guide me, and give me a clear vision and a clear mind. Help me focus on You and give me grace to serve You wholeheartedly, in the name of Jesus.
  
  Note: Hello friends: you are all no doubt aware of the horrible incident that happened this week at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston. We found out from some friends who have a longtime connection with them that the city has set up a fund to help with the funeral and counseling expenses for the families. There is not currently a way to send funds online, but there is a mailing address. Here is the link that describes the fund: http://edition.cnn.com/2015/06/18/us/iyw-help-charleston-heal/index.html. The address is "Mother Emanuel Hope Fund / c/o City of Charleston / P.O. Box 304 / Charleston SC 29402. You can also go to any Wells Fargo branch. Let us all keep this community in prayer.