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Let the Wind Blow from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.

Jesus had thousands of followers. Some were with Him occasionally, while others almost constantly. In Matthew 14:13, Jesus miraculously multiplied food and fed over 5,000 people who had been listening to Him teach. Out of all those followers, Jesus chose twelve, and He named them Apostles.

Then there was an inner three, Peter, James, and John. These three were almost always with Jesus. They were with Him on the Mount of Transfiguration, the resurrection of Jairus' daughter, and while He was praying in the garden of Gethsemane. There were levels of knowing Jesus, and though they were all saved, some of His followers were closer to Him than others.

Peter, James, and John were not better, more sanctified, or holier than the other Apostles. They were simple fishermen.

Peter himself said in Luke 5:8 that he was "a sinful man." We know that the Apostle Peter was married because Jesus healed his mother-in-law of a fever (Luke 4:38). According to Acts 4:13, Peter and John were "uneducated and untrained men."

Like me, sometimes Peter walked in the flesh and spoke words that were inspired by satan. Matthew 16:23 reveals that at least once, Jesus rebuked Peter and told him: "Get thee behind Me satan" after Peter gave one of his speeches. Can you imagine Jesus telling you this?

My point is that Peter was not a priest, nor a saint, at least not then. He was a common, sinful, married, uneducated fisherman. Peter was not much different than a construction worker today. I say that because I "are" one, and I can relate. I grew up on a farm and dropped out of school as soon as possible. Just as my dad and brothers had done before me. Then I worked in construction as a common laborer digging foundations and pushing wheelbarrows full of concrete. I am not bashing the common man. I am the definition of it. I am saying that being a person of low social status won't stop God from powerfully using you, as we will see.

(Matthew 14:25–27 NKJV)  Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."

(Matthew 14:28–29 NKJV)  And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.

(Matthew 14:30–32 NKJV)  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

There were twelve of Jesus' closest disciples in the boat that night. Yet, only one of them got out and walked on water with Jesus.

That is 1/12th or 8.3% of the group. That means that about 92% of the innermost twelve Apostles stayed in the safety of the boat. Now that's ok. They were saved and turned out fine anyway. Well, except for Judas. Walking on water was a golden opportunity, but not a requirement.

Then there is the question of why Peter was chosen to walk on water with Jesus? Well, he didn't. Peter asked Jesus for the opportunity. Peter said: "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water!" Then Jesus simply said: "Come." So why did Peter get to walk on water? Because He asked to.

All twelve of the Apostles could have walked on water with Jesus that night. Yet, they didn't seem to want it badly enough to ask for it. Perhaps they were afraid, too sleepy, or too "spiritual" to trouble the Lord with "trivial" things. James 4:2 tells us that "We have not, because we ask not." Peter asked Jesus.

Another thing was that Peter was excited about God. He wanted to be doing what Jesus was doing. Peter wanted to be where Jesus was. Are we excited about God? Do we crave to be where He is? Are we hungry for His presence?

The Lord will provide great opportunities to those who are zealous enough to ask Him. Those who will believe Him and are willing to leave the safety of the boat. Those who will risk looking like a fool if they can be closer to Him.

There is so much we can learn from the twelve short verses of Matthew 14:22-33. It is a summary of walking with the Lord Jesus. For anytime we are given a great opportunity, the wind and waves come to discourage us. Doubt and fear will cause us to take our eyes off of Jesus, and then we sink.

When the Apostle Peter began to doubt, he sank like a rock. Yet, Jesus reached out and caught him. When they got to the boat, Jesus asked Peter a single question: "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Why do we doubt that the Lord will help us? Here is a word for you today:

"You can do this. Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. What I have spoken to your heart will come to pass. Only believe. Shake off the doubt, and look past the fear. Focus on the Lord Jesus Christ, and let the wind blow."

You can pray this with me if you like:

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me get in tune with what You are doing today. Let me see through Your eyes things that I can change. I am Yours, Lord. Forgive me for ever doubting You. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!