“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Heb 11:1-2 NIV)
Doubt is the absence of God in your present circumstance and Faith is the presence of divine favor whereby the awesome power of God is activated from the supernatural to the natural.
I am contemplating right now what measure of faith it took for Abraham to leave home and even take Isaac as a sacrifice. What measure of Faith did Daniel have to sit in the Lion’s den. What measure of faith did the three Hebrew boys have in the fiery furnace. What measure of faith did Joseph have from the pit, to the prison and finally reaching Pharaoh’s palace. What measure of faith did it take for Noah to build an ark or even for Rahab to shield the spies.
But the greatest of all is what measure of faith did it take for Peter to step of the boat into the water. The measure of faith can never literally be expounded or even figuratively be explained. The measure of faith attained in all these heroes of the bible were merely just continual focus. Their faith was depicted by their eyes being constantly fixed on the Lord waiting for him to act. They knew he was always at the end of the situation.
One certainty is that human nature just does not align itself with Godly principles and God’s standards calls forth that which is not as if it were. Faith is a present hope, a current expectation and an undeniable victory. When you are at your weakest, God enters strong.
When Peter stretched forth his hand, Jesus said “come”. I relish in utter awe at the voice of Jesus summoning us to come forth and walk on the water. How do you master the art of walking on water. Very simply, the art of mastering water walking is by only focusing on the firm foundation whose name is mighty and that is Christ Jesus, himself.
When Jesus stretched forth his hand to Peter, his grace abound, his mercy was revealed and his glory was evident. The divinity of Christ supercedes the odds that rise against us. Peter, he could of just been careful and stayed in the boat, but NO, nothing ventured, nothing gained. It didn’t even matter that he sank the first time around, the Lord was present to catch him and draw him close. Second time around, Peter would of perfected walking on water. Sometimes, even we, get confidently comfortable, yet God is calling us out of the boat and to walk through the impossible, over the circumstance and beyond to Glory Land.
When so much happens in life and words fail the task of expression, tears flows in its place. Just like the soft tinkle of raindrops across the window pane, tears have become the key supplement in understanding human emotions, strengths and joy.
Yet tears in the ocean are lost amidst the vastness so when your heart is heavy and you can’t even see before your face, look beyond the stillness and wait for God to act. His timing is perfect. His methods are supernatural and his weapons are victorious.
We need to stop looking at where we want to go but rather from where God has brought us. We have to stop looking at all that is wrong but rather all that is right. I have never seen the righteous forsaken or even their children beg for bread because the living God is a refuge to those who place their complete trust in him. We are the beloved of God where we live under his divine favor which is having God’s ability, God’s power, God’s strength and God’s willingness to work in our lives.
Having your boat rocked is not so bad after all and having the storms brewing around you may just bring forth from you a “walk on the water”
Now, may the peace of God that transcends all human understanding flood your heart, life, family and circumstances.
By Hazel Moodley
Phoenix, Durban, South Africa