Matthew 14:22-33 (KJV)
22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
I’m in way over my head
A couple of weeks ago I spent some time with a friend of mine, a fellow pastor, who was describing a pastor that he had worked for as being as one who was in way over his head. This was meant as a critique of sorts but I received it as a complement to my brother. It is my opinion that no pastor is worth his salt if he is not in it over his head.
I have drawn the conclusion that I am in it over my head, but quite honestly that is where miracles happen. It doesn’t take faith to do what you can already do on your own. Anyone can wade around in knee deep water, it doesn’t take any special gift to just walk around in ankle deep water, but when you get in over your head you enter into the realm of the supernatural.
When Peter got out of the boat he was in over his head. It took some kind of faith to step out of the known into the unknown. Miracles are not happening in the area of your life where you have it all figured out. You have to step out of the comfort zone to experience the greatness of God.
I began thinking of those in the Word of God who were in over their head and came to the conclusion that not one member of the faith hall of fame was excluded from this category.
You talk about over your head living, look at Noah in Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Noah wasn’t building another boat! He was building the first boat. When it’s another boat you can copy off of someone else and use their design, but when there isn’t another pattern you get in over your head!
Look at Abraham
Hebrews 11:8-10 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
I can assure you, Abraham was in it way over his head, but he was called the friend of God!
Scripture declares that Sara by faith received strength to conceive seed! Hebrews 11:11-12
11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
Carrying a child at ninety years of age, I would say she was way over her head!
When Abraham lay his son Isaac on the altar of sacrifice in Gen. 22 he stepped in over his head.
Hebrews 11:17 (KJV)
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
You and I will never know the provision of God until we have laid our very best on the altar. Friend you will never give up more than you will get in return.
Moses was in over his head before he could ever swim as a baby in a bulrush he found out that God was his protection from the waves of Nile river. He was in over his head when he said yes to God and became the mouth piece of the almighty to Pharaoh. He was over his head when he stood in front of the mighty red sea with a rod in his hand and pharaohs army approaching from behind. He was over his head when he led Israel through the congealed waters of the red sea and over his head when he smote the rock and water came flowing. He was over his head when he told God, if you’re going to blot the nation of Israel out then take my name out of the book as well! He lived his life over his head!
Joshua was over his head when he approached the flooding tides of Jordans river and the priest were in over their heads when they touched those waters but the waves rolled back and they walked over on dry ground because when you are in over your head with God...You’re not going under!
He was in over his head when led Israel in the march of their lifetime around the mighty walls of Jericho, but the walls came down.
In Judges 7 Gideon was over his head when he obeyed the Lord and took only three hundred men to war with him against the host of Midian with an army of thousands, but God delivered them into his hands.
When queen Esther approached the king, she said if I perish, I perish she was in way over her head but God used her to save the nation of Israel!
Esther 4:13-16 (KJV)
13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.
14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,
16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
When David stepped out in front of the Giant Goliath he was in over his head but the stone hit the mark and the giant came down and David got crowned! Don’t tell me God won’t honor your faith when you step out and get in over your head!
When Daniel was thrown in the lion’s den he was in over his head but God closed the mouth of the lions and Daniel used their belly for a pillow and their mane for a cover!
When the furnace was heated up and the fire was hot and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the flames they were in way over their head but when you go in for God you go in with God and I beheld four men in the fire and the fourth is like unto the Son of God!
Hebrews 11:32-40 (KJV)
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
Simon Peter you are in way over your head! Yea, but I am walking with Jesus, while your boat is still rocking!
Paul and Silas you are in over your head at the midnight hour but the jail started shaking and chains came off and the guard got saved.
I am in way over my head, I am inept, incapable, but I serve a God who is more than enough he can supply all my needs, he is...
my El-Shaddai “God of the Mountains” or “The Almighty God.” This term is more closely associated with the patriarchal period and can be found most frequently in the books of Genesis and Job. Exodus 6:3 underlines El-Shaddai as the name revealed to the patriarchs. God used it to make His covenant with Abraham (Gen. 17:1-2).
El-Elyon “The Most High God” or “The Exalted One” (Num. 24:16; 2 Sam. 22:14; Ps. 18:13). Melchizedek was a priest of El-Elyon and blessed Abraham in this name (Gen. 14:19-20), referring to El-Elyon as “Maker of heaven and earth.” Canaanites at Ugarit also worshiped god as El-Elyon. El-Elyon seems to have had close ties to Jerusalem.
El-Olam “God of Eternity” or “God the Everlasting One” (Gen. 21:33; Isa. 26:4; Ps. 90:2). God’s sovereignty extends through the passing of time and beyond our ability to see or understand.
El-Berith “God of the Covenant” (Judg. 9:46) transforms the Canaanite Baal Berith (8:33) to show God alone makes and keeps covenant.
El-Roi “God who sees me” or “God of vision” (Gen. 16:13). God sees needs of His people and responds.
Elohim Plural form for deity. It is a frequently used term and the most comprehensive of the “El” combinations. The plurality of this word is not a hint of polytheism. It is a plural of majesty. It is a revelation of the infinite nature of God. In the creation narrative we read: “Then Elohim said, “Let us make man in our image” (Gen. 1:26). This name suggests that there is a mystery to the Creator God which mankind cannot fully fathom. God is absolute, infinite Lord over creation and history. The Christian sees in this term a pointer to the Trinitarian reality of creation.
Covenant Name The covenant name for God was “Yahweh.” Israel’s faith was a new response to God based on His disclosure. This name was so unique and powerful that God formed a covenant with His people based upon His self-revelation. Yahweh titles appear in English translations as Jehovah. See YHWH.
Yahweh-Jireh “The Lord will provide” (Gen. 22:14). This was the name given to the location where God provided a ram for Abraham to sacrifice in the place of Isaac. This name is a testimony to God’s deliverance.
Yahweh-Nissi “The Lord is my banner” (Exod. 17:15). Moses ascribed this name to God after a victory over the Amalekites. The name of God was considered a banner under which Israel could rally for victory. The Lord’s name was the battle cry.
Yahweh-Mekaddesh “The Lord sanctifies” (Exod. 31:13). Holiness is the central revelation of God’s character. God calls for a people who are set apart.
Yahweh-Shalom “The Lord is peace” (Judg. 6:24). This was the name of the altar that Gideon built at Ophrah signifying that God brings well-being not death to His people.
Yahweh-Sabaoth “The Lord of hosts” (1 Sam. 1:3; Jer. 11:20; cp. 1 Sam. 17:45). This can also be rendered “the Lord Almighty.” It represents God’s power over the nations and was closely tied to Shiloh, to the ark of the covenant, and to prophesy. The title designates God as King and Ruler of Israel, its armies, its temple, and of the entire universe.
Yahweh-Rohi “The Lord is my shepherd” (Ps. 23:1). God is the One who provides loving care for His people.
Yahweh-Tsidkenu “The Lord is our righteousness” (Jer. 23:5-6; 33:16). This was the name Jeremiah gave to God, the Righteous King, who would rule over Israel after the return from captivity. He would establish a new kingdom of justice.
Yahweh-Shammah “The Lord is there” (Ezek. 48:35). This is the name of God associated with the restoration of Jerusalem, God’s dwelling place.
