Date: Monday, 18th November, 2024
Text: Matthew 14:23-31
Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan
Exhortation:
In basic Mathematics when two things are related together in an inversely proportional manner, it means when one increases, the other decreases; and vice versa.
A very good example is when you look at the relationship between time and speed you would notice that when if you are driving and you decide to increase your speed, the time it will take you to arrive at your destination will reduce. Conversely, when you reduce your speed the time taken to reach your destination will increase.
In today’s text, Peter was initially fearful when he saw a “ghost” walking on the water. But when he heard the voice of Jesus he realized it wasn’t a ghost but Christ himself; his faith was boosted and fear lost its hold.
Jesus spoke to him saying,”Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”The Lord then invited him to come and Peter fixed his gaze on the Lord. At this point his faith was so strong that Peter did the impossible- he defied the law of gravity and walked on the sea.
However, he saw the wind boisterous, he became distracted, was afraid; and began to sink.
Clearly in the above scenario you see that faith and fear are inversely related to each other. When the faith is little the fear is much; but as faith increases fear gradually fizzles out.
The word of God says we should fix our gaze on Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith- not on our problems, challenges or doctor’s negative report.-Hebrews 12:2. Faith diminishes when we get distracted and shift our focus away from the Author and Finisher of our faith. Fear grows when we exalt our problems above the power of God.
Peter got rescued when Jesus caught him by the hand and set him back on the track of faith.
Prayer Nugget: Father, help me to always keep my focus on Christ and his promises and not on my problems in Jesus name.