“’Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ ‘Come,’ he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” (Matthew 14:28-30).
I believe the Lord has a word for His Church from the biblical account of Peter walking on the water regarding the pandemic we are currently experiencing. (It is longer than usual, but worth the read).
After the feeding of the 5,000 Jesus had His disciples get into a boat and go ahead of Him to the other side. The boat was “buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it” (Matthew 14:24). Then Jesus comes out to them on the lake walking on the water. After hearing Jesus identify himself, Peter speaks up, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus replies, “come.” Peter, recognizing Jesus’ voice and believing His word, “got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”
At the beginning of the Covid-19 “safer at home” we saw believers and seekers coming toward Jesus. Like Peter transcending the law of nature by walking on the water, people were strengthened in their faith. They were trusting in Jesus and His Word. However, isolation is the breeding ground for fear. The result is something illogical is happening all around us. Things are getting better regarding the Covid-19 virus, but it is my observation that people and businesses are getting more paranoid. Why? Peter’s example gives us the answer.
“But when he saw the wind, he was afraid…” Peter began to listen and believe other “voices” rather than the voice of Jesus. There was the voice of reason that said, “It is not natural for someone to walk on water.” There was the voice of science that said, “It is not scientifically possible for a human being to walk on water.” There may have been the voices of the other disciples in the boat warning him or trying to discourage him. Whatever “voice” Peter was hearing, his faith became fear when he put his trust in another voice. Proverbs 3:5-6 describes this, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
There are many “voices” on television, radio, social media, etc. giving their “understanding” regarding the Covid-19 virus. These “voices” contain conflicting messages. Scientists and doctors have differing perspectives. These produce an uncertainty of who or what to believe. The result of this uncertainty is anxiety, worry, and fear. I saw this in person yesterday as I was in Wood County where my mother lives. In Wood County, there are NO ACTIVE CASES of Covid-19 (they have only had 2 total), but people were responding as if everyone had it!
I understand how fear could increase in those who are leaning on their own or others’ understanding rather than trusting in the Lord. My concern is for believers to not get caught up in the wave of increasing fear, but instead to be strengthened in their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Like Peter, we must put our trust in the presence and truth of Jesus rather than our own or others’ understanding when it is contrary to the Word of God and the leading of the Spirit of God. Psalm 27:1-2 says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”
Hebrews 11:6 reminds us, “Without faith it is impossible to please God…” Understanding fear is the opposite of faith, one could say, “with fear it is impossible to please God.” (I am talking about an unhealthy fear, not a healthy reverence of God). Faith frees you while fear freezes you. This is what happened to Peter, so he cries out, “Lord, save me.”
“Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him” (Matthew 14:31). As the song says, Jesus is “as close as the mention of His Name.” If fear has crept into your life, look and listen to Jesus. Cry out to Him! Do not let fear of the Covid-19 virus freeze you when it comes to living your life. Remember, Jesus trumps (no pun intended) the Covid-19 virus. WHEREVER YOU GO, JESUS IS WITH YOU! If Jesus is with you, by His Spirit in you, what or who should you be afraid of? Jesus is your Protector, Provider, Healer, Savior, and Lord!
I want to challenge the Church! As churches, stores, restaurants, sporting events, etc. reopen, let the Church lead the way in showing the world that we walk by faith and not by fear. In doing so, our actions will point them to Jesus. That does not mean throwing caution to the wind and acting recklessly. What it does mean is we live by faith in the leading of the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of the Word of God. God orders our steps.
Pray this prayer from the song, “Oceans,” “Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters, Wherever You would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith will be made stronger In the presence of my Savior.”