“Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked
on the water and came toward Jesus.”
(Matt 14:29)
(Matt 14:29)
Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). Walking by faith requires something more than a happy face façade. Staying afloat on the surfaces of this world requires standing on the strong substance of foundations unseen.
As Kristi and I walked along the river one day, we observed a flock of ducks that seemed to be standing all in a row on top of the water. It was a humorous and yet curious scene, the water lapping around their firmly planted legs out in the river, a good distance from safe shores. By all appearances they were just happily standing on top of the flowing water.
As we looked more closely, we could see a submerged log hidden just below the surface of the water. The former tree was unseen to the inattentive eye, not obvious, yet it provided solid footing for the ducks. They looked quite content, safe, and happy with their feet planted on a place of refuge. They had all their ducks in a row.
We dare not look just at the surface of things (2 Cor 10:7ff), lest we fall and sink. Christ is the solid foundation that enables us to stand. We put our hope in the Word of God (Psalm 119), hidden in the depths of our hearts, below the surface, always ready to establish us even when we feel like we’re struggling to swim and battling that sinking feeling. Peter understood this very well when he wrote, “I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it” (1 Peter 5:12).
Peter, who walked on the water and stood through stormy seas, also understood the need to stand with others. “Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd…” (Acts 2:14)
So, how are you doing on the surface and beneath it?
“He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.”
(Ps 40:2)
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.”
(Ps 40:2)
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