Dare to Leave the Boat!

Decisions are always hard. Critical decisions are very hard! Sometimes God closes all the doors and opens just one, and that is the best of all! But many times, the Lord allows us to choose. He expects us to make responsible decisions based on His Word and His revealed will. That I guess, is the hardest.

Sometimes we take some split-second decisions which we regret for life! After feeding the five thousand men, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side. We read about this incident in Matthew 14:22-33. While the disciples were all in the boat, they experienced rough weather. Jesus saw them struggling (Mark 6:48) and went to them walking on water. Initially, they were afraid but then as soon as Jesus spoke to them, Peter wanted to walk on water. He did walk until he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the tumultuous waves!

We often think it was Peter's failure that he took his eyes off Jesus and was about to sink! What about all the other disciples who were snug inside the boat? I believe the others failed too in a quiet kind of way! What was their failure like? Their failure went unobserved and un-criticized. They did not think they could walk on water with Jesus. They did not want to risk their lives! They did not want to leave their comfort zone!

Only Peter knew the glory of walking on water. The other disciples could not know that because they never got out of the boat. This is the fundamental truth: If you want to walk on water, you have got to get out of the boat. If you are going to experience the power of God in your life, you have to take a step of faith. Have you ever thought about what keeps us from getting out of the boat? Lack of faith keeps us from accomplishing the purpose of our lives! Fear of change keeps us from stepping out for God.

My friend, in the midst of the trials and storms of life, Jesus is watching over us. We do not read that the disciples called out to Jesus in fear. Jesus Himself saw them straining at the oars, and He drew near! When He is so mindful of us, we have nothing to fear. Let us step out in faith and truly experience the impossible. May God strengthen each one of us!

Categories: Weekly DevotionalsAuthor: Hephzibah StephenDate: 12th May 2019 Share: newsletterDisplay date: 22nd May 2019

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