Do You Have Enough Faith to Stay in the Boat?

What if Jesus replied to Peter, "don't come", or simply never responded with the specific command to come?

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:27-31 ESV)"

If Jesus didn't give the command to come, then I suggest it would have taken faith--not just more faith, but faith period--to remain in the boat.

Notice that none of the other apostles who remained in the boat were charged with lacking faith--only Peter was charged with being of "little faith".  Did not those who stayed in the boat, lack faith?  It might seem so... so why be so "hard" on Peter about lacking faith?  He did walk on water after all, and that seems pretty amazing.  None of the others did that.  Why not call them out and charge them with a lack of faith?

Here is the thing.  Faith is not making great and wondrous efforts. Faith is heeding the Word of your Lord.

Do you--do I--desire to have faith? We must seek the the Word of our Lord. All other "faith" is not faith, but is counterfeit.  Has he not called you out of the boat?  Then don't think that to walk on water would take great faith.  Keep your gaze on Him, and He will give you the Word you need to have great faith.

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So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17 ESV)

Finding Your Outer Strength

The overwhelming modern way of thinking and teaching in society is that we must find inner strength.  You are your own power source.  You are your own powerhouse of will, happiness, greatness, and power.  Great things await you when you believe in yourself!  Within yourself is all that you need.  Just pick yourself up by your bootstraps.

God's Word could not be more contrary.  Is it any surprise?  No... but it still should be said.

In 2 Corinthians 12:10 it is written...

"For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
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This is no form of thought you will find in any self-help book, or motivational speaking event.  What does it mean when Paul by inspiration of the Holy Spirit writes, "when I am weak, then I am strong."?

He is alluding to a strength simply not found in self.  You don't have what it takes to be strong.  If you think you do, you are actually weak.  In fact, it is in emptying himself of himself, that he is made strong--not from within, but from without, by God.

Jesus echos this same teaching when he says "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 16:25)

Have you found your outer strength?

Characteristics of a godly man cave (Psalm 57)

Psalm 57 (ESV)

To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.

1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
till the storms of destruction pass by.
2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
3 He will send from heaven and save me;
he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah
God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!
4 My soul is in the midst of lions;
I lie down amid fiery beasts—
the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!
6 They set a net for my steps;
my soul was bowed down.
They dug a pit in my way,
but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah
7 My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast!
I will sing and make melody!
8 Awake, my glory!
Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn!
9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
10 For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!

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It's a place...

-for crying [out to God], for his mercy and refuge - v.1-2

-for hope in God's salvation from many worldy enemies that seek to destroy us - v.3-4

-God's glory is exalted and proclaimed - v.5

-nets and pits set to entrap our souls are called out; humble remembrance and hope for how God deliverers out of them all - v.6

-hearts are directed to the steadfast love of God; in response, singing may break out or looked forward to in hope - v.7-10

-Finally, it is a place where God is exalted above all else; there is a display of hope for His glory filling the whole Earth - v.11

(Also see Psalm 142)