Five Miracles For Water Walkers by Terry Somerville

Have you ever considered the story of Peter walking on the water?  There are actually five miracle in the story that should encourage us greatly!

 

But the boat was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a ghost; and they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it is thou, bid me come to thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. {boisterous: or, strong} 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said to him, O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt? 32 And when they had come into the boat, the wind ceased. Matt 14:24-32

Miracle 1. Jesus Comes To Us In Our Storms, Walking On The Water

But the boat was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a ghost; and they cried out for fear.   27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

The disciples were crossing the lake as Jesus instructed, and they encountered a storm. But Jesus came to them in the storm.    Even though we are following Jesus direction for our lives, the wind and waves are against us. Often we are toiling in difficult situations.  The disciples were frightened by the storm and when Jesus came to them, thought they saw a ghost! How we need our eyes opened to see Jesus in our storms. It was a miracle that Jesus could be there in that storm at all. He would have to walk on water.  But only the eyes of faith can see that He's there in difficult situations. At first  they did not recognize Him but He called when they cried out and said "be of good cheer". 

Are you in a storm even though you are doing what Jesus called you to do? Be of good cheer. Jesus is there. Its a miracle! You may not see Him, or become frightened. Do not be afraid. He will encourage you!

Miracle 2. Jesus Invites Men To Walk With Him In The Storm - To Enter a New Level of Faith!

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it is thou, bid me come to thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come.

The only thing that sets Peter apart from the other disciples is his boldness. He dared say "Lord bid me come". He was not presumptuous when he stepped out of the boat.  He asked for an invitation, and believed Jesus word. He stepped out. The other disciples could have said "me too"and stepped over the rail with Him. Wow, have you ever wondered what it looked like? Were their feet going up and down on the waves, or were they walking level, the waves washing over them? How did it work? One thing is true. Peter took a bold course and walked on the water. We can be bold for the Lord as well.

Many times I've seen miracles happen when I take a bold course and stepped "onto the water." For example,  in a village crusade in India I saw a crippled man in the back. I remember  thinking "I'm going to heal Him the way Jesus did" and I just stepped out on the water.  I shouted across the crowd "stand up and walk in the name of Jesus". He stood and walked! His mouth hanging open, his arms upraised, astonished.  Later he his wife were walking down a path arm in arm  (this is never done openly in India) When he saw me he gave me a huge hug. It was worth the whole ministry to see that man restored.

Miracle 3. Men Can Be Water Walkers

And he said, Come. And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus

Peter did what Jesus was doing. It's amazing, yet that is exactly what God invites us to be like.  Jesus said "as the Father has sent me, so I send you." We can dare to step out in doing His will. Jesus also said

 

He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
John 14:12

One time the Lord told us to rent a theater and call a meeting for repentance in the Body Of Christ.  The day of the meeting a great storm was coming towards us  from Washington State. Environment Canada was giving a severe weather warning and saying evening meetings should be canceled. I was filled with boldness because I knew the Lord had appointed the meeting. I took several men with me and went outside. I pointed to the sky and commanded "In Jesus name, storm, you will stop at the border and turn back. This meeting will take place. " Later that day the weather report said they had no explanation, but the storm had reversed course at the border. Hallelujah!

The point is, find out what Jesus wants you to do and do it!  Was I super spiritual or prayed up? No!  I just did it, because I knew it.  We know He wants us to tell the good news, heal the sick, cast out demons and even raise the dead. Be a water walker and do it.

Miracle 4. Jesus Lifts When Water Walkers Sink

But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said to him, O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt?

Here is another wonderful miracle that we often miss in this story.  Peter was sinking and Jesus miraculously lifted Him up.   All of us will struggle with doubts and sink. But when we cry out, Jesus will lift us up and secures us in our boat.  We can trust Him to watch over us when we step out. Even if we do sink, it's OK!

Doubt Is Not The Absence of Faith
Notice what Jesus said. O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt?  Peter had faith! His little mustard seed faith got him walking on the water, and it will for us as well.  The littleness of the faith was not the problem, the doubt was! Doubt is not the absence of faith, but reasoning and double mindedness. Peter saw the wind and waves and then began to sink.

Many times I've watched my mind at work in ministry, and seen the effect of doubt.  If I go forward without self consciousness, amazing things happen. Many miracles. As soon as I begin to reason it over and think about the situation, doubts shut me down. That  'inner pharisee" will get you every time you let him talk.  The miracles disappear.
  Thank God Jesus is there and lifts us up. He often reminds me "why did you doubt" and lets me rest with Him in the boat, till next time we step out.

 

A Little Faith Will Bring Miracles, A Little Doubt Will Stop Them

Miracle 5. When Jesus Steps Into The Boat The Wind Will Cease

And when they had come into the boat, the wind ceased.

The last miracle is right there in front of us and we miss it.  Yes, Jesus was in the storm, and Peter walked with Him. But  Jesus also came into the boat and the wind ceased.  They had calm and fellowship with Him.  Jesus enjoys being with His disciples.

What does this mean for us? It means that not only do we step into His miracle realm but He steps into our natural realm.  He wants to be you in your "boat"  and enjoy your company.  It's not always about the miracles. It's about living with Him in all things.

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