GOD’S WORD FOR  NOVEMBER 10

Our  book excerpt today, and ongoing,  is from “Chiseled by the Master’s Hand”  Lessons from the Life of Peter, by Erwin  Lutzer.  Dr. Lutzer is  Canadian-born and served as Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years, until his retirement in 2016.   He now serves as Pastor Emeritus of Moody Church.  He’s written many books and has radio and internet teaching programs.

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( Read Matthew 14:28-33)

If we had been in the boat, we would have been content to know that Christ was finally coming to help us.  But Peter saw this as a wonderful opportunity.

 “And Peter answered Him and said, ”Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

Jesus said, “Come”  so “Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came toward Jesus” (Matthew 14:28-29)

Although Peter was impetuous, often responding to life by impulse rather than careful thought, we must give him credit for seizing this opportunity.  He didn’t jump into the water presumptuously, saying, “Lord, here I come, save me!”  No, he requested Christ’s permission:  “If it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”  Clearly, Christ was pleased with the request and responded with a simple word, “Come.”

This was not a stunt orchestrated so that Peter could parade his heroism in the presence of his peers.  Peter made this request because he loved Christ and couldn’t wait to be near Him.  He was too impatient to wait for Christ to come to the boat;  he had to meet the Master en route.

For a brief moment Peter was actually walking on the water with Christ!  If we had had a video camera, we would have seen two people defying the law of gravity, two individuals participating in a miracle.  As far as we know, throughout all of history only two people have ever walked on water – Christ and Peter, and, as the saying goes, all others who claim they have, only know where the rocks are!!!  If Peter had kept cool, gazing at Jesus he could have walked all the way to his Master.

CHRIST TOOK THE WAVES AND MADE THEM AS A ROCK BENEATH PETER’S FEET.

Why do all of us so often find ourselves in storms?  Why are the trials of life so persistent, so unrelenting?  Thirty years later, Peter himself would write, “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6-7).

Our faith is precious to God, and only in a trial can faith come to its fullest expression. 

Storms keep our eyes riveted on Jesus.

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Jeremiah 11:20

But, O Lord of hosts, You who judge righteously, Testing the mind and the heart,…..

James 1:3

knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

Psalm 119:127

Therefore I love Your commandments More than gold, yes, than fine gold!

James 1:2-3:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

Romans 5:3-4:

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

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