Walking On Water

If I told you that you could walk on water, what would be your response? The natural thought would be, “that’s crazy,” but sometimes we must look beyond the natural and into the supernatural! Pastor Nathan’s message today recounted the story of both Peter and Jesus walking on the water found in Matthew 14:22-36. Jesus told his disciples to go to the other side of the lake, but when they reached the middle of the water the wind and storm came up and began to batter the boat. Jesus had stayed behind to dismiss the people and pray, but the disciples were toiling in rowing for the wind was contrary. (Mark 6:48)

Sometimes when we are heading in the right direction, going in the direction that God has led us, we can suddenly face storms and wind. It may look like we have made a mistake. Perhaps this is not where God meant for us to go. This is not the way Jesus viewed the storm. Yes, the storm was resisting Him, but He told His disciples to go to the other side. He had important work to accomplish. Jesus was not going to let the storm stop Him from reaching his destination and fulfilling His destiny. On the other side of the storm was a great miracle for many. On the other side of the battering wind and waves were people who needed to be made perfectly whole. “And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about and brought unto him all that were diseased; and besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.” (Verses 34-36)

Jesus needed to get to the other side. Jesus had somewhere to be. He had no boat, so Jesus began to walk on the water! What if Jesus had simply given up? Many people would have missed their miracle. If you have somewhere you need to be, you shouldn’t think it strange that you face resistance. Sometimes we might need a miracle to get to our destiny. The good news is that we serve the Miracle Worker! Our God is able to deliver us.

What of Peter? When he saw Jesus walking on the water, he said, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Peter actually got out of the boat and walked on the water too! How sad that Peter is more often remembered for sinking as he took His eyes off Jesus rather than the miracle that took place as he walked on the water with Jesus! Peter believed Jesus enough to get out of the boat!

Each of us has a word from God to get to the other side. It is God’s best for our lives. It is our God-given purpose, but just as surely, resistance will come to stop us from getting there. The devil waits until you are in the middle of things. The storm was designed to kill the disciples in the middle of the lake, but Jesus was there. In the middle of the storm is the best time to walk on the water. If you are supposed to be somewhere, there is a supernatural means for you to fulfill your purpose. When you are getting ready to drown, that is the perfect time for a miracle. We can toil in rowing, or we can get out of the boat and walk!

John 6:21 tells us that as soon as Jesus entered the boat, “immediately the ship was at the land.” If you are feeling stuck in the storm, this is the perfect opportunity for Jesus to do something supernatural. You can’t get to the other side by rowing. Stop what you are doing. Get out of the boat with Jesus. Stop toiling and struggling. You can’t keep doing what you have always done and reach the other side. It is time to get out of the boat and walk on water. Some places you need to reach can’t be reached any other way. Take the hand of Jesus and do something different! Jesus used His circumstances as a steppingstone to walk in victory. Jesus walked on top of His circumstances, and we are called to follow in His footsteps!

Isaiah 43:1-2 NLT But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.