#SSVBlogNuggets: Don't make Peter's mistake!

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"Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled saying, "it is a ghost"! And they cried out for fear.
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "be of good cheer! It is I, do not afraid."
And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." So He said, "come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he WALKED ON THE WATER to go to Jesus. BUT WHEN HE SAW that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out saying, "Lord, save me!" - Matthew 14:25-30.

The foregoing Scripture text captures the story of Jesus walking on water to meet up with His disciples who had gone "before Him to the other side" in a boat while He stayed back to disperse the multitude and to pray (v. 22-23).

As He walked towards them on the sea, "they cried out for fear". But Jesus calmed their fears, stating it was Him and not "a ghost" as they had thought. Peter, who seem to always jump to the front of the queue, said, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." Jesus bade him to come; he did, WALKING ON THE WATER, until he became afraid "when HE SAW that the wind was boisterous", and began to sink..

Peter walked on water, until he took his eyes off Jesus, and focused on the boisterous wind!
He was achieving a great feat, until he took his eyes off his goal!
He was overcoming his fears, until he allowed the contrary situation take hold of his heart!
He was winning until he allowed the thought of defeat win the battle of his mind!

"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2).

What are you looking unto; the boisterous wind, or Jesus who said "come"?
What are you focusing on; the doomsday predictions in the news, or Jesus who says all things are working together for your good?
Do not make Peter's mistake... Keep your focus on Him!
Never take your eyes off Jesus!

Our God is not just a starter, He's equally a finisher! Has He called you out upon the waters like He called Peter? Then step out into the wild with Him, keeping your eyes firmly fixed on Him through it all...He'll surely see you through it all; and not leave till the very end.

Looking unto Jesus... not the economic situation!
Looking unto Jesus... not the trends!
Looking unto Jesus... not the grim predictions by the 'experts'!
Looking unto Jesus... not the turbulent waters!
Looking unto Jesus... not the negative confession of others!

A song says, "I will call upon your name, and keep my eyes above the waves..."
Yes, the sea maybe tossed by the waves...
Yes, the situation maybe getting worse...
Yes, the economy may not be "smiling"...
Yes, companies (even big ones) maybe downsizing...
Yes, prices of everyday items maybe shooting through the roof...
Yes, firms maybe significantly spending less...
Yes, the fears may seem real....
Yes, households may have reduced spending power...

But... I will keep my eyes above the waves and boisterous wind and place it on the author and finisher of my faith!
He didn't bring you this far to leave you halfway.
He'll see to it that you get to your destination - to where He has promised you. You just have to keep your eyes firmly fixed on Him, and hold onto His word.

He has called you out upon the waters, and got you right where He wants you....
So trust and keep your focus on Him and His word!
What has He said to you about your where you are? Hold fast to it!
Jesus told Peter to "come", he failed to hold onto that as the wind blew, he sank. Do not make his mistake!
The wind will blow.
The waves will rise.
The waters will be boisterous. But. Keep your focus on the One that has said "come". He can, and will, keep you.
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Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the privilege of knowing you, and for the privilege to be able to call on your holy name and get a hearing before you.
I ask that you help me keep my focus on you as I walk through the wrong patches on my path to my prize. Strengthen me to not be distracted by the contrary conditions, but to keep pressing till I reach my prize. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

#SSVBlogNuggets is a series of short, precise and inspirational posts! Of course, drawn from God's Word! SSV means 'Still Small Voice'.