September
19, 2003
"LORD,
SAVE ME!'
"When
he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning
to sink he cried out, saying, 'Lord, save me!" (Matthew
14:30, NKJV).
"When
the disciples set sail they 'were more impatient and dissatisfied
with Christ than they had ever been since they acknowledged
Him as their Lord." In the midst of the angry storm,
with waves so high the disciples feared that at any moment
they would capsize, they recognized their need of a Saviour.
'At last the disciples saw that their efforts were in vain,
that they were unable to help themselves. With feelings of
remorse they remembered their impatience with Jesus, and called
upon God for pardon. And now the time had come for Jesus to
help them. Placing His feet upon the waters, He stepped from
one whitecapped wave to another, as if walking upon dry land.'
"Once
the disciples felt assured the figure was Jesus, Peter exclaimed,
'Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water'
(Matthew 14:28). Jesus answered, 'Come.' Springing over the
side of the boat with great confidence, Peter walked toward
Jesus upon the windswept waves. As long as his eyes remained
fixed upon His Master, he was safe. Just a darting glance
down at the deep waters beneath his feet and then back to
his companions in the boat, and he started to sink in a trough
between two huge waves. Looking back to where Jesus was standing,
he could no longer see Him, since the towering waves had hidden
Christ from view. Peter's faith now failed as he felt himself
sinking into a watery grave. Frantically he searched for Jesus.
Finally fixing his eyes upon Him, he begged, 'Lord, save me!'
'Immediately Jesus grasped the outstretched hand, saying,
"O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" Walking
side by side, Peter's hand in that of his Master, they stepped
into the boat together.' Without delay Jesus immediately saved
Peter and then gently rebuked his lack of faith. 'A fisherman
all his life, Peter knew how to swim (see John 21:7). But
a sea like this, in which a boat was not safe, was even less
safe for a swimmer.'
"When
trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! We look
upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the
Saviour... Those who fail to realize their constant dependence
upon God will be overcome by temptation... Only through realizing
our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we
walk securely."--Jesus, p. 164.
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