The Exercise Of Faith

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. It’s a ghost, they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid. Lord, since it’s you, Peter replied, tell me to come to you on the water. Come, he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 

Matthew 14:25-29 

Christ willingly participates in our exercises of faith. As the disciples were in the midst of violent turbulence on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus came to where they were walking on the water. Initially, they were quite understandably alarmed. They thought He was a ghost. Christ assures them, saying, ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ Once He identifies Himself, Peter responds with, ‘Lord, since it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ Peter is ready to step out, by faith, at the Lord’s command. He does not leap over the side of the ship, but seeks the Lord’s command and permission. Jesus answers him with, ‘Come.’ Peter descends from the boat and walks on the water to go to Jesus. What are we seeing here regarding faith? Peter wanted to exercise faith and Christ cooperated with him. Peter was evidencing more willingness to exercise faith than any other disciple. Christ did not discourage him in any way. God often puts us in places where we have the opportunity to exercise faith. When we, at His behest, seek to step out and exercise more faith, He encourages rather than discouraging us. Christ is for us in our exercise of faith. He does for us what He did for Peter. He bids us come to Him.   

Our Gracious Master and our God, 
we rejoice that You are for our faith. 
We praise You that as we exercise faith, 
You encourage us. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning