Thursday, March 1, 2018

SINKING

In Matthew 14:28-30, we read: "And Peter answered Him and said, 'Lord, if it's You, command me to come to You on the water.' So He said, 'Come.' And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, 'Lord, save me!'"

"What's the matter, Timmy?" Grandfather sat by him.

"I was doing good, but then I wasn't."

Grandfather waited a minute, said, "Want to tell me about it?"

"Remember Jake? He made fun of me. Says only sissies go to Sunday School and church. That real men don't need a crutch."

"Let me tell you about a big guy, a real man. He made his living as a fisherman. One day, the Lord Jesus called him to fish for men."

"Whoa, Grandfather. What's this got to do with Jake?" Grandfather held up his hand, palm out.

"One day, the fishermen shoved their boat out into the waters. By evening a storm came up, the waves tossing the boat. They were terrified. They say Jesus walking on the water and were more afraid. Until He called out to them, 'It's I. Don't be afraid.' That's when this big tough guy, Peter, says, 'if it's you, command me to come to You.' So Peter crawled out of the boat and walked on the water to go to Jesus, but he made the mistake of looking down. Saw the waves licking his feet, began to sink."

"Wait, Grandfather. What you're saying is, when the waves get strong and are tossing me about, I'm not supposed to pay attention to them?' Timmy shook his head. "That's hard, really hard."

"I agree. In fact, it's impossible." Timmy's sucked in a deep breath. "Unless the hand that reaches for you, is the hand of the Lord Jesus." He released his breath with a sigh.

"We all need a Savior, Timmy. One who comes to us in the storms of life."

"Even you, Grandfather?"

Grandfather smiled. "Especially me, Timmy. We never out grow our need for the Lord Jesus."

Kingdom Thinking. The Lord Jesus came to me in a storm. He lifted me up out of the turbulent waters. He promises to love me with an everlasting love and never to leave nor forsake me. Do you have storms in your life? Call out to the Lord Jesus. He'll take your hand and lift you up.