While enjoying a day of fishing on a pond, three preachers got into a discussion about faith. One of the preachers declared, "I have the faith to believe that I can walk on water to the shore." He put down his rod and reel, stood up, stepped out of the boat and proceeded to walk on the water to the shore. One of the preachers still in the boat, cried out, "I've got as much faith as you." Then he stood up, stepped out of the boat and walked on the water to the shore joining the other preacher. The preacher, still in the boat was unwilling to acknowledge that the others had more faith than he, declared, "I have faith, too." He then stood up, stepped out of the boat into the water and sank like a rock. As he came up gasping for air and started paddling toward the shore. The two other preachers were having a great laugh, when one turned to the other,and asked, "Do you think we should tell him where the stumps are?"
God's Word says "For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV) It is not easy to do, is it?
Remember the account in the Matthew 14, when Jesus sent the disciples ahead to cross the Sea of Galilee by boat at night, as he remained behind to pray. The wind hindered their progress, and around 3:00 AM, Jesus came to them, walking on the water. The disciples were terrified, thinking that Jesus was a ghost. Jesus reassured them, saying, "Take courage. It is I. Don't be afraid." Impetuously, Peter said, "if it is you, Lord, bid me to come to you on the water." Jesus said, "Come." Peter climbed out of the boat, and started walking on the water toward Jesus. How in the world, did Peter do that? He walked on water. That's impossible.
Did someone tell him where the stumps were? No, there weren't any tree stumps, but there are some spiritual stumps that he used that can help us to walk on water.
The first stump is BELIEVE. Peter believed in who Jesus was and believed that He was able to empower him to do what He was doing. Henry Blackaby defines faith as having confidence that what God promises or says will come to pass. Believe that God is God and nothing is impossible for Him. Believe that if He tells us to do something, He is able to empower us to accomplish it. Do you have complete confidence in God's word?
The second stump is ACT. Faith is more than just believing, it also involves acting on what you believe. Peter did something that none of the other disciples did that night. He got out of the boat. The other disciples didn't. You can't walk on water, if you don't get out of the boat. We must act on what we believe, trusting God all the way. Are you ready to get out of the boat?
The third stump is KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS. Now we all remember, that Peter was doing great until he became distracted by the wind and the waves. Taking his eyes off Jesus, he began to sink into the water. Peter wasn't walking on the water, in his own strength. It was trusting in Jesus that enabled him to walk on the water. Isn't it the same for us, we are all sunk without Jesus? Fortunately, He rescues us when we fail, and reminds us that we can accomplish more, if we just trust Him.
Walking on water isn't impossible, when you know where the stumps are.
