Day 18: Wind Surfing

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

Matthew 14:29

Ever wonder why Jesus didn’t calm the storm before inviting Peter to walk to Him on the water? Obviously, Jesus had the power to calm the storm as He had done before when the disciples woke Him and Jesus hushed the storm into silence before.

But on this occasion, Jesus makes no attempt to calm the storm. Rather, He walks above and through it. Proof that the storm was still raging when Peter walked on the water is seen in Matthew 14:30 where it says that “when he saw the wind, he was afraid.” The wind didn’t die down until both Jesus and Peter had returned to the boat.

So why didn’t Jesus give Peter smooth, calm water to walk on? That still would have been an awesome miracle! Why not still waters? It was to teach Peter and all of us the lesson that you don’t have to have peaceful circumstances to walk in victory with Jesus. Life isn’t always going to be tranquil. Jesus said, “In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer I have overcome the world.”

Jesus let the storm rage as Peter walked towards Him so Peter would know that as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, the storm was irrelevant. Smooth water, rough water, it doesn’t matter. If we focus on Christ instead of the crisis, we will walk above and through it with Him. Are you waiting for the storm to calm before you take a step of faith? Stop stalling and walk. Keep your eyes on Jesus.

Alter Your Altar (Ideas for Family Worship)

  • Reflect on the fifth phrase of the “Lord’s Prayer,” (“Give us today our daily bread”). Ask Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How questions, and use your sharing time to focus your prayers.
  • Act out tonight’s Bible story with someone playing the part of Jesus, Peter, and the other disciples. Have each character tell the story from their point of view.
  • Take the Family Worship Challenge

Please Pray . . .

  1. For the “daily bread” of the Holy Spirit.
  2. For Kitsap Adventist School and Lewis County Adventist School.
  3. For storm and flood ravaged parts of the world and those who’ve lost property or family members in the disaster.