So, what lessons can we still learn today from Peter’s experience of walking on water?

• Storms will not keep you from peace once you know it’s found in the presence of Jesus

It’s interesting to note that Jesus did not calm the water as He came towards the disciples but on Peter’s request, Jesus invited him to walk on water in the middle of the storm. That speaks of Jesus being our peace in the middle of any rough storms of life. Our expectation is often for Jesus to calm the storm as He has on other occasions, but never forget we have never been promised a smooth ride, but we have been promised that Jesus will always be with us in our storms. The fact that Peter walked on water tells us that even in the tumult of life we can find true peace. The storms of life give us good reason to be afraid but Jesus is bigger than even the scariest of storms and remember, Jesus is your friend. 

• Faith will always require you to step out of the boat

Remember, FAITH is spelled R.I.S.K., meaning as we said last week, believing is not enough. Too many have passive FAITH but what is required is ACTIVE FAITH. Anyone can step out of the boat when the waters are still, but to step out into rough water needs total reliance and trust upon our Lord. Why? Because peace is found in the presence of Jesus and nowhere else, even in the middle of the fiercest storm. So today, stop sitting on the edge of the boat and be bold and respond to Jesus when He tells you to come. Step out of the boat and experience the peace that surpasses all understanding, as Paul talks about in Philippians 4:6.

• Without keeping your eyes on Jesus, you will sink

Peter’s walk on the water was short lived. Why? Because he took his eyes off Jesus. If we are truly honest, many of our defeats are due to the fact that we take our eyes from Jesus and focus on the storms, bringing us into a place of fear which will negate our faith. Just like Peter, many will start well and will boldly step out of the boat but soon be distracted by the elements of their own circumstances. Here is my advice: life is full of storms, big storms, storms that will destroy you unless you keep your eyes on Jesus. With Jesus, you are not only able to endure, you can walk on water above the storm. So today, keep your eyes on Jesus. 

• Follow Jesus and He will do incredible things through you by His Holy Spirit, if you trust in Him

When you look at Peter’s life following his experience of walking on water, we see how strengthened he became in his service for the Lord. He became a great man of God doing great exploits for Him. Later with greater maturity Peter discovered strength and as he was charged by Jesus (see Luke 22:31-32 NIV) effected the strengthening of others. Finally, Peter survived his denial and is permitted to be the first of the Apostles to see Jesus after the Resurrection (see Luke 24:34 NIV). Also, I believe that Peter would have been talking about the time he walked on water for the rest of his life, not only what He experienced but what he learnt through it which made him stronger in his faith for the Lord. So, there is hope for all of us! God can use our failures, which by the way are not fatal, to lead us into maturity and use us still in an unprecedented way. Make sure that in whatever situation you find yourself, you obey God’s command to the letter, trust Him implicitly and make walking on water not just a once in a lifetime experience but rather a daily lifestyle.