Sinking Saints

Posted on Oct 20, 2021 in Devotions |

Introduction: Have you ever sank? This writer remembers one time as a teenager on an ice cold January day climbing into a boat right along the shoreline. After pushing off from the bank into the pond, due to a hole in the boat, it began to sink like a rock. That was a terrible feeling. Nothing could be done to prevent the boat from sinking with me in it. Have you ever felt helpless? Immediately, as it was plunging further down into the icy waters, a numbness overtook my body. Afraid and fearful, panic set in. But for some unexplainable reason the boat did not fully go under. Finally making it back to the shore brought peace and RELIEF! Thank God I was saved!

Peter experienced similar circumstances.

1. Peter began to walk on the Water!

“And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink.” (Matt 14:28-30)

Peter and the other disciples climbed into a boat, in obedience to our Lord’s instructions, in order to cross over to the other shore. Meanwhile, Jesus prays. Wouldn’t you know it, like life, a terrible storm blows up.

Although professional fishermen, fear and panic overtook them. (By the way, they were in the will of God at the time when they encountered a storm). While walking on the water near the boat (Jesus made the water, why couldn’t He walk on it?), our Lord called Peter to get out of the boat and walk. That took a major step of FAITH! Look at Peter go!!

2. Peter took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink!

“0But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.” (Matt 14:30)

For a brief moment, Peter was doing fine. But as he looked away at the howling winds and choppy waves, he got distracted. Down he sank. Have you gotten distracted? Today? Recently? Look what happens when we get distracted.

3. Peter cries out for help because he was sinking and Jesus heard his cry and lifted him up from sinking!

“he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.” (Matt 14:30-33)

When we are sinking, for whatever reason, we can cry out to Jesus! He hears our cry!! Fear must leave. Insecurity turns to security. Why? Because He is in CONTROL! Sorry. We are not.

Conclusion: Has our Lord called you to follow Him and yet you feel yourself sinking? Sinking in despair. Sinking in hopelessness. Sinking in sin. Sinking in anger. Sinking in worldliness. Sinking in your relationships. Why not call upon Jesus right now? Like Peter, sometimes we sink. In 1982, this writer was sinking into the lake of Fire, but one heart cry to Jesus for mercy and pardon activated the GRACE and LOVE of God through Jesus Christ who died for our sins and rose again, and has promised to come again some day. Now safe and secure in Jesus.

Love y’all,

Dr. Randy Reese