And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Matthew 14:28-33
Dear HLPC family,
The story of Jesus walking on the water in the midst of a storm is well known to many of us. Peter’s journey out of the boat with Jesus is also familiar. Many of us have heard sermons and studies on Peter’s problem: he took his eyes off of Jesus and looked at his fearful circumstances and thus sank beneath the waves. It’s a very familiar story and application. I think we need to hear it again.
So much of 2020 has been an occasion for fear and worry. I get that. Fear of the virus. Fear of what’s happening in our country. Fear of the future. But we must not be a people who live there, who camp out in fear. Fear is not our address.
Jesus rescued Peter, got him back in the boat, and calmed the sea. That’s the power of God. That’s the God we know and serve. That’s the God who redeemed us through the work of His Son, Jesus Christ. I’m not advocating naïve optimism that says things will always just keep getting better and better because we’re believers. That’s the prosperity gospel with its own set of problems. What I am advocating is that we live like the Bible is true and God is real. I am advocating that we spend as much or more time looking to God’s Word and His truth as we do cable news and social media. I am advocating that we walk with Jesus back into the boat, clinging to Him by faith.
Consider this a coach’s pep talk. Our team needs it. Let’s not be a people of fear, let’s be a people of faith. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. (Psalm 20:7)
One last important note: On this Veteran’s Day, a huge thank you to the veterans in the HLPC church family who have served our country. We thank you for your service and sacrifice.
Your Pastor,
Paul