I owe the “seed thought” for this little devotional to an old Scottish Preacher named George Morrison. It focuses on an incident in the life of the Apostle Peter, in his relationship to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Saviour had, earlier in the day, miraculously fed 5,000 men, not counting their families! Subsequently Jesus sent his Disciples (by ship) to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Whereupon He went to a mountain top and prayed for some time, several hours it appears.
Meanwhile a storm had arisen on the Lake. That’s when, with the winds raging, Jesus walked on the water and came toward his fearful followers. The Disciples actually saw Him walking on the sea!
Then … “Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” (Matthew 14:28)
Then Jesus said … “Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.”
That’s when it happened … “Peter saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; AND BEGINNING TO SINK, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.” (Matthew `14:30)
Immediately, as one would expect … “Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him …”
Sad words, “beginning to sink.”
That godly old Preacher (Dr. Morrison) then developed these thoughts, hoping (I am sure) to teach us some things about “sinking,” should such a thing ever happen to us!
First, Peter’s “temperament” put him in danger! His impulsiveness, his boisterous spirit. His adventuresome personality! (The eleven other men remained in the boat!) Yes, that temperament worked to Peter’s good at times. (“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:16) But here, not so. BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR NATURAL INCLINATIONS! EVERY CHRISTAIN HAS SOME “WEAK POINTS” IN HIS LIFE.
Second, Peter began to sink in “familiar waters!” Not far from “home!” He had played in this general area as a child, had invested countless hours trolling these waters. He knew his environment! Yet he began to sink there. BE ON GUARD EVERYWHERE. DON’T GET TOO LAX, EVEN AT HOME!
Third, Peter began to sink after serving Jesus for a while! After a time of “loyal discipleship!” No one is exempt! Yesterday’s right decisions do not automatically predetermine today’s options! SERVANTS OF GOD, BEWARE! LONGSTANDING CHRISTIANS HAVE ALSO MADE SHIPWRECK OF THEIR LIVES AND TESTIMONIES!
Fourth, Peter began to sink on a “permitted path!” Jesus had given him permission to come across those waters! YES, EVEN IN THE MIDDLE OF GOD’S WILL, WITHOUT VIGILANCE, WITHOUT KEEPING OUR EYES ON JESUS, WE MIGHT “BEGIN TO SINK!”
Fifth, when Peter got into trouble here, “fear” had preceded his sinking! Fear, worry, apprehension … these things do not usually buoy a life when the winds of adversity are blowing! Faith, trust, reliance on Jesus would have prevented this whole near tragedy! (PETER WILL LATER TELL US TO LEARN TO CAST ALL OUR CARES, ALL OUR WORRIES, ON JESUS! BECAUSE HE IS INTERESED IN OUR WELFARE!)
Sixth, there is no sign that the other Disciples even noticed that Peter was sinking! Sinking “alone,” with no one aware except Jesus! Oh, how we need systems of accountability in our homes, Churches, Sunday School Classes, wherever we congregate in Jesus’ Name. A GOOD LESSON HERE … KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR FELLOW BELIEVER! THROW HIM A LIFE-JACKET IF NEED BE!
Last of all, maybe best of all … Peter began to sink when “Jesus was near!” That’s comforting! Otherwise, the outcome here would have been catastrophic. KEEP JESUS NEARBY, EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY. BY THAT I MEAN BE CONSCIOUSLY AWARE OF HIS PRESENCE! HE IS OUR SAVIOUR IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE!
And I might add in closing … HALLELUJAH, WHAT A SAVIOUR HE IS!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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