Peter's Hold Of His Hand Series

Matthew 14:22- 33 recounts the story of Jesus instructing his disciples to get into a boat heading to the other side. Midway through their journey the disciples encounter a terrible storm. Jesus at this point shows up in the middle of the storm walking on the sea- Peter realising it was master walking on the water does ask him if it will be possible for himself to join the miracle wave. Jesus obliges and invites Peter to come over- walking on the sea. Peter at this point steps out of the boat and is walking on the water with his eyes gazed on Jesus.He does fine until he begins to sink at this point having taking off his eyes and focus off Jesus.

Now to the core of my message:

1) Peter begins to sink as his focus is shifted from the master to the boisterous storm. (Important that we stay focused on the call and assignment as one cannot look through a bottle with both eyes). Looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

2) We not told to what extent he sunk however what we find interesting is that as he sunk he didn't attempt to swim. He rather prays and seeks for help. He at this point prays one of the shortest prayers in the Bible by shouting "LORD SAVE ME". Peter was an experienced fisherman as he had spent most of his life on sea and therefore one would have imagined that in his moment of adversity on the sea, his natural instinct would have first to swim his way through. However no, he rather seeks for help from the Lord. Notice how regardless of one's skills, expertise and network there always comes a time when we all are in need of the Lord's help and salvation? The Psalmist puts it in a better way when he says "they looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed" -Psalm 34:5

3) And Peter prayed: Lord save me- One of the shortest prayers in the Bible. Peter in his moment of adversity does not waffle and goes straight to the point with his request. "Lord save me". He was bare, blunt, brief, brusque, succinct and clear-cut in his request. Most godly/divine encounters are like sunrises - don't waste time in ceasing them or you miss the moment. Reminds me of blind Bartimaeus when asked by Jesus "what do you want" His clear-cut answer was i want to see! (full stop). There was no need to reference his past and how he became blind etc.. Lesson here is that we need to keep our request succinct and clear-cut when in adversity.

4) No sooner than Peter had spoken did Jesus show up with salvation. Matthew 14: 31 reads that "Immediately Jesus stretched out his HAND and caught him"...Isn't that amazing? Truly we serve a might God. Psalm 31:15 reads "My times are in your hands". God truly holds our hands, infact he holds us in his hands. Notice carefully how it is the parents hold of the child's hand that keeps them safe? Growing up as a little kid, my mum used to always say to me: "the raised hand cares not for it's own recognition, but for that of the body below". Jesus by stretching his hands to Peter is saying to us - i care for and that I've got you covered. He does not care not just for ourselves, our persons, but the situation we are going through, the details, and the dilemma. Indeed true friends are held with both hands. To that effect pray that in every situation of our lives we find ourselves in we will not fail to call for his outstretched hands. Always near us remember!