Matthew 14:22-33 – “Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 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. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 Now 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; do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 So 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 that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”  31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”  32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”  NKJV

Most Christians believe that God has a plan for their lives, and some spend their entire lives sitting in the boat of life waiting for a spectacular revelation of that plan.  They have seen storms come and go and were terrified at the prospect of not having the safety net and security of sitting in the boat. 

We look at Peter in this account and focus on His sinking and the Lord’s rescue.  However, Peter would never have been in a position to be rescued had he stayed in the safety of the boat.  I don’t know what your boat is.  Maybe it is your job or your local church but if you are sitting waiting on a detailed revelation of God’s plan for your life the boat will be your casket, not your catalyst spiritually. 

Peter, the impetuous one, had a question and a desire.  He wanted to be sure that what he was witnessing was truly the Lord Himself and an overpowering desire to break free from the paralyzing power of the boat.  He dared to dare to believe God in the uncertainty of the moment.

“Lord, if it is You…”   If what I am seeing or think I am seeing, and hearing is You then extend the invitation for me to join you in the suspension of the natural and move into the supernatural.  Jesus’ response was simple and immediate saying, “Come!” 

Peter fixed His eyes on Jesus and probably eased over the side of the boat, possibly at the dismay of the others, and planted his feet on a substance that was not naturally capable of supporting him – water.  He began in faith, but his attention was diverted from the object of his victory to that which could mean his destruction and his faith shifted from Jesus to the conditions whereas he began to sink.  Fear gripped his heart and in that moment of fear and despair he cried out and Jesus rescued him. 

Peter learned a valuable lesson that would be demonstrated later in his life where he trusted God in the face of hostile authorities and impending death.  He knew that as he got out of the boat, he would begin taking steps toward the fulfillment of his destiny. 

Sitting in the boat will never bring us into that realm where we walk on the waters of life with Jesus.  It is important to remember that it was not Peter alone on the water, but he was walking WITH Jesus.  That place outside the boat is not you alone but WITH Jesus.

It is time to Get Out of the Boat and begin Walking on the Water of Life!   

 God bless you as you venture out of your boat!  Blessings!