Introduction

Imagine the only thing between you and safety is a rickety old bridge. The boards are cracked, the ropes are bare, but behind you a blazing fire surges uncontrollably. On the other side of the bridge, someone calls to you. They tell you it’s safe to cross, but you aren’t sure who it is or how they know that it’s safe. What do you do?

Every day we are called to trust Jesus. We don’t always know how He’s going to keep us safe or how things will work out. Sometimes, in the confusion, we aren’t sure we believe His voice. The good news is that Jesus does not wait for us to trust Him perfectly. He invites us to trust Him. He waits patiently while we learn to trust Him. And He is right there to catch us when we fail.

[Read Matthew 14:22-29.]

Jesus desires each one of us to trust in Him. When Jesus came to the disciples on the water, they didn’t realize who He was. They were probably distracted by the storm and tired of fighting the waves. In their exhausted state, their confusion turned to fear. Jesus felt their fear and wanted to replace it with trust in Him. He reassured them by identifying Himself. Knowledge of who He was laid a foundation of trust.

“How often the disciple’s experience is ours! When the tempests of temptation gather, and the fierce lightnings flash, and the waves sweep over us, we battle the storm alone, forgetting that there is One who can help us. We trust to our own strength till our hope is lost, and we are ready to perish. Then we remember Jesus, and if we call upon Him to save us, we shall not cry in vain. Though He sorrowfully reproves our unbelief and self-confidence, He never fails to give us the help we need. Whether on the land or on the sea, if we have the Savior in our hearts, there is no need of fear. Living faith in the Redeemer will smooth the sea of life, and will deliver us from danger in the way that He knows to be best” (Desire of Ages, p.336).

Jesus does not expect us to trust Him without help. He calms our fears and concerns as He did for the disciples. In the Bible, we learn who Jesus is. He then invites us to take a step toward Him.

Peter did not have everything together when Jesus called him. He was still questioning whether or not Jesus was who He said He was. His challenge to Jesus shows both doubt and trust. Fortunately for us, Jesus does not require perfect trust, only willingness. Jesus responded to Peter’s challenge with an invitation.

Peter now had an opportunity to put his cautious trust into action. He knew that people cannot walk on water. But he knew Jesus, too. So, in spite of his questions, Peter climbed out of the boat and onto the water; notice that it was his initiative to ask Jesus that he should walk on water. Jesus agreed and Peter stepped out of the boat and walked to Him on the water.

[Read Matthew 14: 30-33.]

We are told that Peter was walking towards Jesus and as long as he was doing that, all was well; then the passage says, “When he saw the wind. . .” He was no longer looking unto Jesus, but at the effects of the wind creating the waves; he took his eyes off Jesus. He lost sight of the Savior and became afraid. But Jesus is always there for us when we fall. Doubt and fear clouded his vision until all he could see was the wind and waves surrounding him. He knew he couldn’t save himself, and he forgot for a moment that Jesus was the One making it happen.

Peter instantly realized his mistake and cried out to the one Person that he knew could save him. Jesus did not allow any time to pass between Peter’s cry and His action. Jesus was right there waiting to save him. He may have been disappointed with Peter’s lack of trust, but it by no means kept Him from saving Peter.

Peter’s life is an excellent example of what learning to trust Jesus looks like. He showed incredible trust in daring Jesus to call him to walk on water; sometimes, we can experience temporary lapses after displaying surprising levels of trust. But every time Peter failed, Jesus picked him back up. Peter went on to be a great influence to the world. Can we do the same? Of course we can! We can all step out of our boats and trust Jesus. We can all get into the water to experience something completely new with our Savior. We may fail, but Jesus’ power and trustworthiness will always shine through. Imagine all the incredible things that could happen if we would only step out of the boat and truly trust Jesus with everything.

One of the first things we have to trust is Jesus’ love for us. Read Romans 8:38-39.

The enemy is always at work to make us feel that God doesn’t love us. We might feel like we have done too many things wrong or that we have disappointed Him too often. Sometimes, when tragic things happen, we blame God for it. That is exactly what the enemy wants. It was Satan’s first accusation against God to say that He should not be trusted. Guard yourself against this. Take texts like the one we just read and embed them in your heart. Jesus tells us over and over again that His love for us is never-ending, and His greatest desire is that none should be lost. His love for us surpasses everything. We cannot comprehend it. This love will never leave us and will never betray a trust.

Keeping this undying love in mind, turn with me to Romans 3:23. [Read Romans 3:23.] God loves us, but we fall short. But even our failures do not stop Jesus from saving us. He does not judge us by our failures; He saves us in spite of them. Jesus longs to save us from the seas that threaten our lives; we need only to ask.

Now turn with me over just a few chapters to the first half of Romans 6:23. [Read the first half of Romans 6:23.] We cannot save ourselves, but if we are not saved, we will die. Sin and separation from God will result in death. Too often we overlook the fact that we owe everything to God. There is not a single thing we ‘own’ that was not provided by God. Without Him, we cease to exist.

Just as Peter cried out to Jesus for physical salvation, we too must cry out to Jesus for eternal salvation. We need to admit to Jesus that we are full of sin and fall short of His glory, and because of this we desperately need His saving grace.

Turn with me to 1 John 1:9. [Read 1 John 1:9.] Everything that separates us from God can be completely wiped away if we only ask. He loves us so much that He desires for us to live eternally with Him. We know He loves us and that His love cannot be taken from us. We can put our trust in His love and in His promise to forgive us. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us that Jesus does not want any to be lost, but wants all to come to repentance. He longs for us to confess our sins to Him so that He can forgive us and take away our guilt.

Jesus loves us unconditionally and earnestly waits for us to confess our sins so He can forgive us. He also has a special gift for us. [Read the second half of Romans 6:23.]

Whenever you know that you have the perfect gift for a friend, you usually can’t wait to give it to them. You eagerly anticipate the happiness in their eyes. Your love for your friend makes it all the more exciting since their joy will bring you joy as well. How much more so is it with Christ? We know He loves us with an incomprehensible love and that He is eagerly awaiting our choice to let Him forgive us. He wants to free us from guilt and offers us the incomparable gift of eternal life. Jesus wants to give you this gift so badly that He died so that we could have the opportunity to take it.

Turn with me to Revelation 3:20. [Read Revelation 3:20.] Jesus patiently waits for us to accept salvation rather than forcing us. Jesus desires to be with us. He wants to come in and spend time with us. Jesus wants to have a close relationship with us. Our part seems rather simple. Jesus invites us to hear His voice and open the door.

We must recognize Jesus’ call to “Come” as Peter did. Then we must go to Jesus. We will stumble and probably fall, but one cry to Jesus and He will be there picking us right back up. All we must do is invite Him to save us and become our best friend.

He wants to show you His love, forgive your sins, free you from guilt, and give you eternal life. Jesus did not refuse Peter’s call. He has not refused anyone’s plea. He will not refuse yours. Invite Jesus into your heart. He WILL come in.

Pray with me now, and if you are willing, invite Jesus into your heart today. He eagerly knocks at the door of your heart. As we bow our heads, don’t send Him away. Accept His gift of eternal life and trust that He will take care of you.

Date: 2015-02-16; view: 659