February 24 – Faith to Walk on Water

Matthew 14:29 – "'Come,' he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus."

Reflection: Faith calls you out of your comfort zone. Step forward in obedience, even when it seems impossible—God will hold you up.

This verse is part of the famous story of Peter walking on water. After Jesus had performed the miracle of feeding the 5,000, He sent His disciples across the Sea of Galilee, while He went to pray. During the night, a violent storm arose, and the disciples were struggling against the waves.

Then, Jesus appeared, walking on the water, and the disciples were terrified, thinking He was a ghost. But Jesus reassured them, saying, "Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid." (Matthew 14:27).

Peter, always bold, responded, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” (Matthew 14:28). Jesus replied with a single word: "Come."

• "Then Peter got down out of the boat." – Peter took a step of faith, leaving behind the safety of the boat.
• "Walked on the water." – Through faith in Jesus, Peter did something impossible by human standards.
• "And came toward Jesus." – Peter’s focus was on Christ, not the storm around him.

However, as the story continues, Peter began to sink when he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the wind and waves. Jesus immediately reached out and saved him, teaching an important lesson about faith and doubt.

How This Applies to a Soldier’s Faith

For a soldier, Matthew 14:29 is a lesson in courage, faith, and keeping focus on God even in the middle of storms. Here’s how this verse applies:

1. Faith Requires Action
• Peter stepped out of the boat—faith is not just believing, it’s taking action based on trust in God.
• Soldiers must also step forward in faith, trusting that God will sustain them in dangerous and uncertain situations.
2. Obedience to God’s Call Leads to Miracles
• Peter walked on water because he obeyed Jesus’ call.
• Soldiers must trust that when God calls them to act, He will equip them for what seems impossible.
3. Fear and Doubt Cause Us to Sink
• As long as Peter focused on Jesus, he walked on water—but when he focused on the storm, he began to sink.
• Soldiers face fears and distractions—this verse reminds them to keep their faith strong and eyes on God, rather than on the chaos around them.
4. Jesus is There When We Struggle
• When Peter began to sink, Jesus immediately reached out and caught him (Matthew 14:31).
• Soldiers may face moments of weakness, doubt, or hardship, but God is always near, ready to lift them up when they call on Him.

ENDEX

Matthew 14:29 is a soldier’s lesson in bold faith. Just as Peter stepped out onto the water, trusting in Christ, soldiers must step forward with faith, trusting in God’s power, not their own strength. Victory comes when faith is greater than fear, and when eyes remain fixed on Jesus, not the storm.