Title [8.8] The Great Challenge
The great challenge (Matthew 14:22-33)
Today's text is saying that only great challenges bring great success. As a disciple of Jesus, Peter was a radical and quick-tempered person who made many mistakes, but he was an adventurous and obedient person who could risk his life to the words and commands of the Lord. The faith that God wants and pleases is an adventurous faith and a faith of obedience.
When the disciples met a great storm while crossing the Sea of Galilee and were about to die, Jesus came walking on the water. For the disciples, crossing the Sea of Galilee was a task they could freely cross without Jesus. However, on the way, they encountered a great storm. It is our Jesus who visits and comforts the disciples in distress. But even when you see Jesus walking on the water, you can see the ugly disciples trembling in fear.
Unlike the eleven disciples, "Come!" When the Lord's words fell, Peter was excited. I began to set my feet on the sea. How great is this challenge? If the Lord speaks, it has already been done. Since the Lord has spoken, I believe it will be so. 'The Lord says, I will go.' This is the secret and key of miracles. As a Christian, neither failure nor success should be based on the Word. We need to know that there can be failures even in what we started by holding on to the Word and believing. This is how Peter, who was walking on the sea holding on to the Word, fell into the water.
In verse 30 of today's text, Peter was able to walk on the sea when he walked only looking at the Lord. But as soon as I was conscious of the waves, the ugly sea approached me with fear and I started to feel anxious. The moment the eyes that looked at Jesus saw the waves of the problem, they fell into the problem. In verse 31, Jesus said to Peter, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” He rescued him immediately. God is the One who comes and rescues them immediately when they are drowning in their children's vain desires, when God's people are groaning in fear, and when His children are in severe suffering. As soon as you reach out in pain, the Lord will hold your hand.
There is a prayer we must pray at this time. “Lord, ask us to come to the water at this hour. I will no longer be afraid in the boat of fear. I will not get lost in trouble. I will not be discouraged with the environment on my head. I will not be in pain and trembling in fear. Lord, help me to rise above the circumstances. Help me to stand up from my hardships. Please help me do these great things that I have never been able to do, and among all these things, make it impossible. Please make the impossible possible. Challenge with faith. I want to hold your hand and challenge you.”
I pray in the name of the Lord that this confession and prayer will become an event of blessing for all of us.