Don’t sink! Cry Out!

I’m afraid my home state of Louisiana is sinking! Many are wearied from the struggles of this year. Hurricane Laura brought devastation to many and before they can even catch their breaths Hurricane Delta is due to make an appearance sometime today!

But Jesus is a friend to the fearful and wearied. And Peter is quite relatable in the many pursuits he suffers.

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”

Matthew 14:30

Jesus had just performed the great miracle of feeding the five thousand from five loaves and two fish. He immediately puts the disciples into the boat and sends them to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. His job isn’t over yet; He will send the multitudes away, then He will go up on the mountain to pray, alone. But the disciples have not made it to the other side. In fact, they are in the middle of the sea going nowhere because the wind was contrary, and the boat is being battered by the waves (Matthew 14:22-24).

Jesus undoubtedly had been keeping an eye out, watching. Afterall, he purposefully sent them into the storm and waited while they experienced the storm. Not until the fourth watch of the night, did He decide it’s time to see if they learned anything from the five loaves and two fish miracle. He walks out on the sea. At first the disciples are frightened thinking it’s a ghost, but Jesus calls out, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid” (v. 27).

Ever eager to impress his Savior, Peter got a burst of confidence, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water” (v. 28). Scripture asks us to approach God with confidence (Hebrews 4:16) and to pray with boldness (James 1:6) but I find that so often the waves of life cause my confidence to sink.

“Cry Out” Challenge, Day 9, Revive Our Hearts Ministry

We, like Peter, tend to sink toward despair when:

• We expect our prayers to be answered right away and they aren’t
• We have too much on our plate to accomplish
• Facing financial difficulties
• Facing health issues
• The list can go on and on . . .

And it’s a struggle to reach toward prayer as our life raft!

It is so much easier to focus on the problems instead of focusing on the problem solver.

Peter was wise in that he knew as soon as he began to sink, Who to turn to – He cried out to the Lord. “And beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me’” (v. 30).

What’s giving you a sinking feeling today? What threatens to overwhelm your confidence in Jesus?

• A hurricane
• A sickness
• An injury

Don’t tread water and don’t sink into despair! Cry out to the Lord~ And discover like Peter did, His hand is already extended toward you!