Stepping Without Sinking
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
“The godly are tempted and tried. That is not true faith which is never put to the test. But the godly are delivered out of their trials, and that not by chance, nor by secondary agencies, but by the Lord himself. He personally undertakes the office of delivering those who trust Him.” – C.H. Spurgeon
At Jesus’s one-word invitation, “Come”, Peter had just stepped out of the boat. With each tentative step, he became the second person (and the first who wasn’t divine) to walk on water.
But that quickly, the winds began to howl even more and – taking his eyes off Jesus – Peter began to sink beneath the surface of the water. “Lord, save me!” he cried out.
The next two words are very instructive. The Bible doesn’t record that Jesus reprimanded Peter for his lack of faith (that came a few moments later when he was safe in His Master’s arms). Instead, it simply says, “And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him…”
The reprimand – and the life lesson – could come later. For now, what Peter needed was to be rescued from drowning and so, that’s exactly what Jesus did.
My friend, whenever we have the courage to step out of the boat, which represents our spiritual comfort zone, and attempt a great work for God, rest assured that trials and temptations will come our way. Yes, they exist inside the relatively safe confines of the boat as well, but they always intensify the further we get from shore.
The Bible is full of such examples. Elijah challenged the 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel and then had them executed at the Brook Kishon, after which he ran and hid in a cave because Queen Jezebel had issued a death warrant for him.
Personal experience tells a similar story. Just 19 days after I left a good job to enter full-time prison ministry, our 2-year-old son suffered a massive stroke.
But guess what? God rescued Elijah and he also rescued our son, Chris, who is now a healthy and happily married 34-year-old man.
Take the plunge and trust God to catch you!
“Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Matthew 14:27b (NKJV)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
