ONE NIGHT Peter and Andrew and the other disciples were out on the Sea of Galilee a long way from shore. They were tossed about on the big waves, for the wind was boisterous; it was dark and Jesus was not with them.
Then in the fourth watch of the night, just before daybreak, after they had been toiling all through the weary hours, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to their boat. At first they thought it was a ghost and they cried out in fear.
But Jesus spoke to them at once, saying, "Be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid." Every bit of fear went from Peter's heart at the sound of that voice, and he answered, "Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water." And Jesus said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water to go to Jesus.
But when Peter took his eye off Jesus and looked at the wind and the waves, his fear came back; he was afraid, and he began to sink. "Lord, save me," he cried.
He did not say, "Lord, help me," because he needed more than helping; he needed saving. And he did not say a long prayer, or one he had learned by heart; he had not time for that; he just cried to Jesus, "Lord, save me," and at once Jesus stretched forth His hand and caught him, and said to him, "0 thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"
"And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped Him, saying, Of a truth Thou art the Son of God." "And immediately the ship was at the land whither they went."
Peter never forgot that night and he could never forget that hand outstretched to save him. He had seen it many times stretched out in healing and blessing others, but that night he knew its loving mighty grasp, a grasp that saved from death, for it is a grasp that is stronger than death.
Have you ever prayed Peter's prayer? Are you one of those of whom Jesus said, "They shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand."
What a loving Saviour Jesus is! He let those mighty hands of His be nailed to the cross for Peter and for you and for me, when He bore our sins in His own body on the tree. Surely He is worthy of our hearts, our lives, our all.