Scriptures:
Matthew 8:23-27 23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
Matthew 14:22-33 22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
Introduction:
Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side. He dismisses the multitude and went into the mountain to pray. He dispersed them quickly for a reason (John 6:14-15). They wanted to make Him a King. He knew that their motives were not spiritual and their purposes were out of the will of God. If the disciples had stayed they would certainly have fallen in with the plans of the crowd. The disciples did not understand the plans of Jesus Christ yet. It is surprising to see that His disciples did ask to remain with Him in prayer.
God loves risk takers and movers in life. Every time you are crossing you need to pray because you don’t the storms that awaits you. Jesus says Man ought always to pray. Luke 18:1 “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”
Every time you take a step to cross over be careful of opposition that might arise. His disciple cross over on man made tools but Jesus after prayer He cross over walking on water. When you pray, you can walk on water The waves and boisterous wind that was troubling His disciples did not give Him a problem because He had prayed. The experience of the disciples in the storm should definitely encourage us when we go through the storms of life. When you pray what trouble other will not torment you. Prayer is the key to major breakthroughs.
Solomon says in Proverbs 3:5; "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding". When we find ourselves in several storms, we need to know that:
He brought me here
He is praying for me
He will come to me
He will help me grow
He will see me through
Body
What looks impossible with is possible with God. Prayer is the supernatural driver of walking on water. To walk on water is not natural. It is supernatural. Sometimes in prayer you just need to be alone. For prayer and meditation refer (Mk 4:10, 4:67, Lk 9:18, 36, Jn 6:15)
The secret of Jesus’ public power was prayer. There are some people that are saying where we are going, we were sent by God, but some winds and waves arose in the way. The fourth watch is between 3am to 6am. Jews divided the night into three parts or four hours and the Romans into four parts of three hours each. You have been walking in darkness in a journey that you have been sent by Lord but I have come to announce the 4th watch. The hour of the Lord has come. Never before had man walked on water but you are going to be the first one to walk on water in your family. People will start to believe that you have got something but Grace will soon make them know that it is the Lord.
When they think that you are destroyed, they will soon realise that you have overcome triumphantly. When it looks terrible just know that God is now intervening. Peter said Lord if is you allow to come. He understood that it is not enough to live and stay in what looks like security when you are being tormented. It is better to be on water with Jesus. Man need to understand what is called temporary securities. The moment we understand that we are saved. We are redeemed. Jesus is the Solid Rock all other grounds are just like a sinking sand. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Peter actually walked on water until He got His eyes off Jesus and on the storm. Looking at the circumstances was cause of the failure. I know you have got circumstance but I edge to look unto Jesus the author finisher of our faith.
Conclusion
To catch and hold Him up while standing on water was another miracle. Force of gravity: Add weight on a loose ground could have drown him. There are several things that you thinking might drown you but I just want to say it is not going to drown you because you have present help. Cry out for present help just like what Peter did. It doesn’t matter you are drowning Jesus can rescue out. When they had come into the ship the wind ceased. There are some winds that will just disappear because the Lord has just appeared seek the face of the Lord this week. It doesn’t matter what you are experiencing the moment Jesus gets in the boat the wind will just disappear. All that you need to do is to take a step of faith and cry out for help, He is around to help you.
Jesus said, why did you doubt: To doubt is to waver mentally (Matt 28:17), to be double minded (James 1:8, 4:8), to hesitate, to be at variance with oneself (Matt 21:21, Mk 11:23, Rom 4:20, 14:23, James 1:6, Acts 10:20, 11:12).
Don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it. David said in Psalms 94:18 “When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord, held me up.”
The Lord is your defence: Psalms 94:22 “But the Lord is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.”
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