Why Aren't We Walking on Water? - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - October 18, 2024
“Come,” He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.” Matthew 14:25
As a child, I loved reading and hearing Bible stories, especially the exciting ones of Jonah and the big fish, Daniel and the lions’ den, and David and Goliath.
Although those stories are ones most of us aren’t ever expecting to live out in our own lives, what about the story of Jesus and Peter walking on water? Should we be asking why we aren’t walking on water?
For many learning how to swim, it seems impossible to float, and first attempts often lead to sinking in the water. It’s not until people believe they can float that the fear of sinking is overcome.
Walking on water to catch a boat seemed to come so naturally for Jesus: “Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake” (Matthew 14:25).
In seeing Him, the disciples were terrified, thinking He must be a ghost, so Jesus called out to them to take courage and not be afraid. Yet, the Apostle Peter boldly jumped at the opportunity to join Jesus, calling out to Him, ”'Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to You on the water’” (Matthew 14:28).
In that moment, Peter lived out what can happen when we fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).
As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he could walk on water, too. However, fear soon gripped him, getting the best of him, “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' He said, 'why did you doubt?'” (Matthew 14:30-31).
Although Peter did sink, we want to remember how he was able to walk on water. As Jesus tells us in John 14:12, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”
Like Peter, we can believe beyond our own understanding to take hold of what Jesus calls us to do on earth.
When it comes to facing storms, how do we respond? Mark 4:35-39 describes how Jesus responded to one:
“That day when evening came, He said to His disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke Him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”
Jesus shares how our emotions when facing literal and figurative storms are related to our level of faith.
In Mark 4:40-41, Jesus speaks of how fear is related to our faith: “He said to His disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ They were terrified and asked each other, 'Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!'”
Like Jesus’ disciples, we can look to Jesus to calm the turbulent weather we face in life. We can trust Him to be with us. We don’t have to be afraid no matter how furious the storm or how high the waves rise because He is our peace and will not abandon us even during the most enraged storms.
Let’s Pray:
Dear Father,
Give us the faith to fix our eyes on Jesus, to believe He is with us, helping us do the work You’ve called us to do, and to face the storms that come our way.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/MajaArgakijeva
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
Related Resource: Discouragement Often Comes after Calling | Ezra 3
In this episode of The Bible Explained, Jen walks through Ezra chapter 3 and explores the Israelites’ return from exile as they begin rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. She highlights how the people, though fearful and greatly outnumbered, chose unity, obedience, and worship by first rebuilding the altar and restoring sacrifices to God. The episode focuses on the emotional moment when the temple foundation is laid—some rejoice with gratitude while others weep, remembering the former temple’s glory. Through passages in Ezra, Haggai, and Zechariah, Jen emphasizes God’s encouragement not to “despise small beginnings,” reminding listeners that God often works through humble starts, difficult seasons, and imperfect circumstances. The episode closes with a practical encouragement: when God calls people to a purpose, opposition and discouragement will come, but faithful perseverance and trust in God’s presence are what carry the work forward. If this podcast helped you understand the Bible in a clearer way, be sure to follow The Bible Explained on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
