Matthew 14:31-33(MSG) Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?” The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, “This is it! You are God’s Son for sure!”
Getting out of the boat means getting out of your comfort zone. Faith is best displayed in the midst of the storm, not in the comfort zone.
Peter experienced God enabling him to do what he could never do on his own – to walk on water. Today water walkers may never physically walk on water, but God enables them to do what they could never do on their own.
If you want to walk on water, you’ve got to get out of the boat.
“If you want to experience the power of God in your life, you’ve got to take a step of faith. If everything you are attempting to do, can be done in your own power, you need to get out on the water. It involves risky obedience. When we learn to discern the calling of God in our lives and respond with yes and get out of the boat, we really do experience God’s power in our lives.” – Bob Millsaps
“Jesus calls us to do things that we are not able to do. When He calls us to do impossible things, like step out on to water and walk, are we going to trust and obey Him? Or are we going to sit safely in our boat under the pretence of not being presumptuous? – Tim Conway
And if we do get out of the boat, are we ever going to sink like Peter? Yes, that’s going to happen. But you know the thing is, we’re still okay. Why? Because the Lord is there, and He cares for His people.
Matthew 14:30(AMP) But when he saw [the effects of] the wind, he was frightened, and he began to sink, and he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Once you stepped out of the boat and you feel you’re sinking, call out to God: Save me!
Psalm 69:14(NKJV) Deliver me out of the mire, And let me not sink; Let me be delivered from those who hate me, And out of the deep waters.
Hebrews 12:2(AMP) [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].
I conclude with: “The key to getting out of the boat is hearing the voice of God. If you’re going to get out of the boat in the middle of a lake in the middle of the night, you better make sure that Jesus said, ‘Come’.” – Mark Batterson