Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Matthew 14:22-33 (NIV)
Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn, Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Great faith to great fall. Peter walks on water, a bit. What do you think Peter learned from this? What can you learn?
Holy God You have done such marvelous things in my life. I have seen Your hand protect me, guide me, nurture me and provide for me in ways that only You could. Why does it come so easy to doubt You and to become afraid? Forgive me, Lord. You are always near me and all I need to do is to keep my eyes focused on You and not on the storm raging around me. If I am unsure, I simply need to reach my hand out to You and You will hold on to me for support and won’t let me fall…ever. I know that in my head, but I need to really believe that in my heart and through the faith of my actions. Lord, help me to believe. In Your precious name. Amen.