Stepping out in the storm

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Matthew 14:22-33

“In faith, Peter stepped out of the boat, and to his amazement, he didn't sink! But when he began to look at the waves rather than Jesus, instantly he began to be submerged. Fear suddenly replaced amazement, and he cried out with panic, “Lord saved me!” And “Jesus put out his hand at once and held him.” Perfect love overcomes fear. Jesus is the antidote to fear. Our gaze needs to go back and forth between divine love and our fears. We gain courage to face our fears as we soak in God’s love.”

– David Benner

1. Step Out in Faith When Jesus Calls

2. Keep your focus on Jesus, despite the waves

3. Remember God’s faithfulness

Identify one place where Jesus may be inviting you to trust Him more deeply and take a step forward in obedience.

How can you redirect your attention to Jesus through prayer, Scripture, in conversation, in community? 

Two constant sins of God's people: smallness of faith and hardness of heart.

How can you regularly remember and recount the ways God has worked in your life so that past faithfulness will fuel present trust?