God permits men to try their strength that He may show them their weak- ness. We need to lose faith in our- selves that we may gain confidence in God. Peter seemed almost lost, but the hand of the Lord was stretched out to save him. ' ' This poor man cried and the Lord heard h i m" (Psa. 34). ' ' When my foot slipped, Thy mercy held me u p " (Psa. 94:18). The righteous may be scarcely saved, but they will be saved. Some by the skin of their teeth and some as by fire (1 Cor. 3:15). Peter may be sifted like wheat (Luke 22:31), but will not be blown away with the chaff (Psa. 1:4). How blessed that mighty hand that is stretched out to save the lost. That hand wounded, but wonderful. Always bestowing bless- ing. Why didst thou doubt, Peter? Poor Peter! He is dubbed, little faith. One slip of the step or one falter of faith may cost a man a high title. Had he kept his eye upon the Lord he might have been ealled great faith (Matt, la: 28). (5) WELCOME AND WORSHIP. "When they were come into the ship." "Worshipped Him." "Thou art worthy" (Eev. 4:11). Leaning on the arm of the Lord they walked to the ship. How easy to press the world under our feet when we walk with Him. What a welcome they re- ceived. " The wind ceased." All storms are silenced in His presence. Every storm-tossed soul finds rest when He comes in. They came and worshipped Him. He received it (Heb. 1:6; Matt. 4:9-10). They give Him the true title, "Son of God.'' The angel gave Him that title before His birth (Luke 1:35). God tes- tified to the name from heaven (Luke 3:22). Satan issued the challenge to Him as Son of God (Luke 4:3). An- drew acknowledged Him as Son of God (Jno. 1:49), and the Centurian looked upon Him and cried, "Truly this was the Son of Go d" (Matt. 27:54). He was the Divine Son or His ac- ceptance of worship would have been sacrilege. In the previous incident at the calming of the waves they said, "Wh at manner of man is t h i s" (Matt. 8:27). Now they say, "Of a truth thou art the Son of God," and so He is, and worthy of the worship of all men. POINTS PRACTICAL. 1. In His humanity He hung help- less upon the arm of His Father and sought in solitude, strength for service.
righteous" (Psa. 34:15). Mark says He saw them toiling (Mark 6:48). He knows all. He sees all. He under- stands all. We have a High Priest who is touched with a feeling of our in- firmities (Heb. 4:15). " H e remember- eth that we are dust." The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth" (Psa. 34: 17). The Lord is going to the disci- ples, walking on the waters. The Egyp- tian emblem of the impossible is human feet walking on the waters. They fail to take into account the miraculous power of the mighty God. Every step of the Son of God is attended by supernatural signs (Acts 10:38). He does not come rushing in the wind: as calmly as He prays, He walks the waves. All power is given unto Him (Matt. 28:18). He puts all world powers under His feet, knowing their need, heeding their call; He comes to their relief. The disciples look at Him through doubt-dimmed eyes and think Him a spirit (Luke 24:36-39). It is difficult for Jesus to secure a recog- nition from His followers down here. He lifts His voice (Jno. 16:33) and speaks words of comfort. " B e of good cheer" (Matt. 9:22). " I t is I . " It is the mighty miracle worker—their friend—their leader—the one who loves them. How He longs to speak to us, to help us, to comfort us. (4) WALKING AND WEAKNESS. "He walked - on the water." "Beginning to sink." "A ll things are possible to him that believeth" (Mark 9:23). If any one is to be spokesman for the party, it is Peter. If any one is to act it will be he. Peter is impetuous. He loves the Lord, he loves adventure. The impulse of his heart is to go to the Master and the Lord always responds to such de- sire. He wants us with Him. He says " C ome ;" let us go to Him without the camp. (Heb. 13:13.) Peter starts well, he walks by faith, but he ends poorly. He gets his hand on the plow but looks back (Luke 9:62). He is in the right race, but his eyes are off the goal. He misses the mark. A sudden squall scatters the spray, his eyes are dimmed, his faith droops and he drops. His faith departs and he dispairs. He begins to sink and forgets he can swim. He cries out like a startled child, "Lord save or I perish." He feels the power of the deep drawing him down and like Jonah, " t h en he cried unto the Lo r d" (Jonah 2:2).
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker