Jesus has said, “You can walk with Me.” When Jesus began making disciples, He called them out of all manner of vocations and backgrounds. Matthew 14 tells us that thousands of people were following Him because they saw the signs which He performed on the diseased. When they walked with Jesus they witnessed all manner of miracles. Matthew 14 tells us He fed 5,000 men, besides women and children, with five barley loaves and two small fish. After everyone ate and was filled, they gathered up twelve baskets full of barley loaves that were not eaten. When the multitude saw what had happened they wanted to make Jesus King. We all want to exalt Him after He has blessed and supplied our needs.
Matthew 14:22-27 NKJV Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 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. 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.”
Perhaps you have experienced something similar in your life. All of a sudden you found yourself in the midst of difficult circumstances. Each of us will face situations that have the potential to be so severe that we are certain we cannot survive. In all of these varied circumstances, the Lord has promised to be near us and will walk with us. The words the Lord spoke to Jacob and Israel are helpful for everyone of us.
Isaiah 43:1-3 NKJV But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior…
Although God spoke those words to His people many hundreds of years ago, they are still true. He restated this to the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians. Paul was going through a difficult time of personal weakness, infirmity, and buffeting. He wanted relief from the Lord, so he prayed three times that it might depart from him.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
What does that mean?
In life, you are going to go through some waters, floods, and fiery trials of difficulties. They may be storms of adversity or storms of fear. They may be circumstances that challenge your frail bodies.
It is good to remember that God is faithful who has called us into the fellowship of His Son.
There is some good news for you. Jesus has said, “You can walk with Me.” I have reconsidered 1 Corinthians 1:9.
1 Corinthians 1:9 NKJV God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
During your storm, weakness, or infirmity, you need to remember His faithfulness. When we concentrate on the Lord, even the darkest hours can be filled with His strength and our praise.
God has called us into the fellowship of His Son.
After thousands had been fed a miracle meal, His twelve disciples found this to be true. They had been deeply involved in that ministry as the bread and fish had passed from the master’s hands through theirs to the people. Then Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to Bethsaida. Most of the time, we walk without a complete understanding of God’s plan.
Even when we do not know what is going to happen, God is faithful. His disciples went down into the boat and started across the Sea of Galilee. They did not know what was about to happen.
When they started out in obedience to Jesus, everything looked like smooth sailing. They were walking in obedience to the Lord. After they got out on the water, the sun went down and the wind picked up. What appeared to be a routine journey began to be a challenge.
Many of us have started out strong and then circumstances changed. When things changed, we did not know what to do.
I want to remind you, “God is faithful.” Don’t give up on God because a storm arises. Your best hope for success and a future is walking with Him. You are going to face storms and difficulties in life and it is best if you face them with Jesus in your life.
When darkness covered them, the sea arose and a great wind was blowing. Most of us have experienced dark times. We know the challenge of storms in our life. We know what it is like when our plans take a turn. We even know what it is like when God’s plans lead us into uncharted waters.
Have you ever known that something was coming, but you did not know what it was? When you know difficulty, loss, trouble, or death is coming, you have time to prepare. Even when we are warned, we are not always prepared for what can happen. That is why it is so important to walk with Jesus.
After the sea arose and the great wind started blowing, the disciples saw Jesus walking on the sea. It is always a great comfort to see Jesus coming into our trouble and storm. Whatever it is you are facing, when Jesus arrives things begin changing. He is the Master of the wind. Although they were afraid in the storm, Jesus was coming to them.
When Jesus was near, He said, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” (Matthew 14:23) When Jesus comes near, situations are going to change. Simon Peter was overwhelmed with the fact that Jesus was near to them in the storm.
Matthew 14:28 NKJV And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
Peter was ready to take a step of faith and walk with Jesus in the midst of the storm.At first, this may seem outrageous.
Why would anyone leave the safety of the boat to walk with Jesus? That is the real challenge when we are facing any storm in life. Can we really trust Jesus with our lives? Will He be able to sustain us when we walk with Him through the waters and rivers? Can He still quench the violence of the fire?
Hebrews 11:33-34 tells of people of faith who “subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, and turned to flight the armies of the aliens.”
The challenge before them was great. Many of them did what no one had done before. They walked through all kinds of situations with the Lord by their side. Hebrews 11 shows how people of faith endured all kinds of troubles, trial, battles, chains and imprisonments.
How could they do it?
1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
When Peter took a step out of that boat, he was responding to Jesus’ call for him to come and walk with Him. He believed that God is faithful Who called him. Really, walking on the water with Jesus is no different from walking with Him through your storm.
Water walking brings a deeper connection with God. Water walking demonstrates true commitment and trust. Water walking is part of discovering and obeying your calling. Walking with Jesus on the water is trusting Him even if it does not make logical sense.
The whole idea is centered on fellowshipping with Jesus Christ the Son of God. Peter’s success depended fully on keeping his focus on Jesus.
In the midst of the storm, while he was walking to Jesus, Peter turned his focus to the wind and waves, and began sinking.
Peter realized something that none of us should forget.
- You need to be walking with Jesus.
- You cannot face the storms of your life by yourself.
- Jesus is just as close as the mention of His name.
When Peter was sinking, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
When we accept the call into the fellowship of God’s Son, we are called to walk with Him. There are many undeniable benefits gained by walking with Him. Israel walked with Him through the wilderness and around the walls of Jericho. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego walked with Him in the fiery furnace. David was walking in fellowship with Him when he slew Goliath. When he was walking with Jesus, the Apostle Paul found that His grace was sufficient for all of his troubles.
Isaiah 40:28-31 NKJV Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
That word “wait” brings the answers we are needing in life. It means, confident expectation and active hope in the Lord. I get that from “walking with Him.”
What does it mean in your life? When your situation is beyond anyone else’s help or care, Jesus will be there with you. When other people forsake you or fail, Jesus will never fail. He will build you up and give you strength. He will help and sustain you through your deepest trial. I can hear an invitation from the Lord.
Jesus is saying, “Walk with Me!”
There are levels of achievement that we have not attained. This is our only chance for real victory and life. As long as we are living, it is not too late. Regardless of the things you are going through or face in the future, the Lord has promised to never leave you alone.
When Peter was going under, he cried out and Jesus was a very present help in his trouble.
1 Corinthians 1:9 NKJV God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
As you progress through life, you are going to find that you really need the Lord. No one else can do what Jesus can do for you. He has the answer you need for all of your question. He can help you through all of your weaknesses. He has promised to give you the grace and mercy that you need. He will renew your strength and keep you from failing. You can trust the Lord.
