Fear Less: Devotions for Courageous FaithSýnishorn

How to Have Faith to Walk on Water

Today’s Bible reading of Jesus walking on water and Peter coming out to meet him is one of my favorite passages of Scripture. Peter joins Jesus on the water but sinks when he sees the wind and waves. Jesus asks Peter why his faith is lacking and grabs him to safety.

Here are three important truths to take away from this passage.

1. Get out of the boat.
2. Focus on Jesus.
3. If you fall, Jesus will catch you.

First, get out of the boat! You can’t walk in faith if you are staying fearfully in the boat. I feel like Peter often gets a bad rap when we study this passage. Maybe his faith was weak, but hey, at least he had faith enough to get out of the boat and meet Jesus! Yet, Jesus rebukes him, so you may feel confusing about Jesus’ words.

One of my Tae Kwon Do teachers once told me (on a day in class when I was getting an endless stream of corrections) that a teacher who is hard on you, believes in you. Corrections help you grow.

Second, focus on Jesus. Peter only started to sink when he looked at his circumstances and became afraid. Don’t look around. Look to Jesus.

Finally, remember that Jesus will catch you when you fall. We don’t know exactly what this moment looked like, but Peter doesn’t seem to have even reached out for help. Jesus just grabs him up and takes him back to safety. 

Sometimes, it’s scary to step out in faith, but remember that Jesus will be there to catch you.

Reflection Question

In what area of life do you need to step out of the boat?