If you live where some of us do, you have probably walked on water many times. In the cold north, teams of horses and even trucks drive right across the rivers in January. Of course, it is frozen water, rock-hard, but it is still real water, and only God could make it like that. It was God who designed and made that wonderful material called “ice.” One reason was so that Northerners could have an extra advantage in getting around in the hard months of winter. God is very wise, isn’t He? But this story isn’t about walking on ice; it’s about walking on water.
That very same God who designed water and ice came down to earth as a man in the person of His Son, Jesus, and He lived here with ordinary people. Those who believed and followed Him were called “disciples.”
One day, Jesus had His disciples get into a boat on the shore of the sea of Tiberias while He sent the people who were at the seaside home after supper. Jesus must have been tired, but He went up into a mountain to pray and was there alone as it grew dark.
By this time the boat was out in the middle of the sea, and a bad storm had suddenly come up. The disciples were rowing into the strong wind, and the little boat was tossed about in the crashing waves. They struggled hard with their oars, but the wind was too strong to row against. They felt all alone and afraid in that dark, stormy night with the high waves and strong winds against them.
Perhaps you understand those scary feelings too. Maybe you have struggled hard and gotten nowhere and have felt discouraged and alone and in the dark. Most of us can remember a time like that.
Of course, Jesus could see the disciples out there in the storm, because distance and darkness don’t block His vision. He saw them struggling, and He waited.
Now don’t be discouraged if God leaves you waiting. If you trust Him when you can’t see any hope, you will find that He is worth trusting. He will never let you down, for if you belong to Him, He is still with you while you wait. He promises, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). And the disciples were about to learn this.
It was about 3:00 in the morning when Jesus went out to them, walking on the water. Since He created the water, it was no problem for Him to walk on it. The howling wind and crashing waves were all under His control too.
The disciples in the boat saw Him, but they thought it was a ghost or a spirit, and they were afraid. These men did not know who was walking out to them. But when you and I know Jesus as our very own Savior and Lord, all fear is gone. The Savior who walked on the water that day is not a ghost or a spirit, but a real, living Savior who had come to them because He loved them. Peter was almost sure of this, so he called out, “Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water.” Then above the howl of the wind and crash of the waves, he heard and recognized the voice he knew so well, and the answer he heard was just one word, “Come”!
Of course, it is impossible for you and me to walk on water, but with God all things are possible, and Jesus is God. Peter believed Jesus and answered by stepping right over the side of the boat and walking on the water to go to Jesus. I cannot tell you how far it was; however, I know that the wind was still howling and the waves were still crashing. And as Peter walked on the water, he took one look around at the raging storm, and then he began to sink!
Although Peter looked away from Jesus to the storm, the eyes of Jesus never looked away from Peter. And Jesus’ eyes full of love are watching you right now. Do you belong to Jesus? Have you come to Him when He has called you to “Come”? Then He will never, never let you sink!
Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught Peter. It did not matter about distance. The Lord’s hand is never too far away to save you, even though He is in heaven now. I’m sure Peter never forgot that loving clasp that would never, never let him go, and Jesus and Peter walked together through the storm back to the boat. And then the storm stopped at once.
Was Peter safer in the boat on a quiet sea than he was on the waves on a stormy night? No, of course not. In Jesus’ hand we are sure of safety anywhere, until we are home with Him in heaven. God does not tell us we will never have any troubles, but He tells us we will never have to bear them alone. And He tells us that the end of the road is heaven where He is and where storms are over forever.
Do you know this same Jesus as your Lord and Savior? There is no other Savior but Jesus, and there is no other way but His way. Listen to Him and come to Him now.
“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear” (Isaiah 59:1).