Gideon - The Mighty Man Of Valor "Looking For A Sign” Part 3 Of A Series Series

I don’t want us to get bogged down with this, but let me just say a couple of things:

1. It is normal to struggle with the assignment of the Lord.

2. Many times God will confirm what he says by showing you a sign. For me, it is often an eagle or a rainbow.

My story of seeing the eagle at Beaver Falls when praying about moving to Portland…. And, the move to Safford was confirmed by a double rainbow.

3. But…. Don’t start trying to play head games with you and God, that can really get you sidetracked.

God may show you a sign to confirm things but don’t start operating in superstition; that’s a form of counter spirituality and sometimes borders on witchcraft.

However, God sometimes gives us a confirmation when needed. It’s just that, sometimes before you are comfortable shifting things into gear, you need a confirmation that this is what the Lord wants.

Matthew 14:26-33 NLT, When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, "It's a ghost!" 27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. "Don't be afraid," he said. "Take courage. I am here!"

28 Then Peter called to him, "Lord, if it's really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water." 29 "Yes, come," Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. "Save me, Lord!" he shouted.31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. "You have so little faith," Jesus said. "Why did you doubt me?" 32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. "You really are the Son of God!" they exclaimed.

Look at the progression here:

1. Jesus tells them to get in the ship and go to the other side

2. It was stormy

3. Jesus shows up in an unusual and unexpected way, it freaks them out and they think they are seeing a ghost.

4. Peter and Jesus have this dialogue and then Peter steps out of the boat and begins to walk on the water. Yes, Peter actually walked on the water… for a little bit.

5. He gets his eyes off of Jesus and onto the storm around him and begins to sink.

6. Jesus immediately reached out and saved him.

7. Jesus then asks him why he had so little faith and doubted God.

I said recently in a Facebook post, “I would rather have a little faith than a lot of doubt.”

Courage is not a lack of fear, courage is going forward in spite of your fear.

Over the years, I have heard a lot of people crack on Peter because he took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink. But I like to see the glass half full – Peter is the only one ever recorded besides Christ to ever walk on the water at all. And, he was the only one who actually got out of the boat.

Don’t crack on the guy that crossed the chicken line!

Don’t crack on the guy that got out of the boat when no one else did.

God is looking for people who are willing to get out of the boat….

Even when it is stormy

Even when you cannot see in the dark

Even when it means you are being asked to do something you have never done before.