Nougat 26

Hi

I might have said it before; but Peter is my all-time favorite disciple. One hardly wondered what was happening with Peter. He didn’t always ‘get’ Jesus, but he loved Him to the Max. Moreover, Peter could be a bit impetuous. His impetuousness reminds me a lot of me. And I know from Peter’s life that God’s patience is real! Truly God’s hesed (steadfast love or loving kindness) NEVER ceases. Take today’s Holy Nougat for example;

“But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14:30-31‬ ‭NKJV

Just imagine – Peter was IN the boat with the other disciples. He KNEW he was not a swimmer (it’s said fishermen were not swimmers go figure!); yet on seeing Jesus – IN THE STORM – what did Peter do? Yup; he asked for the most ludicrous sign from a possible ghost! He demanded that Jesus allowed him, Peter, to also walk on the water Riiiight! And then, when reality (or pride) took his eyes off Jesus, Peter promptly began to drown!

(I think, as a disciple, if I wasn’t so afraid of the storm in the boat, I’d a been rolling in the sea with laughter! And probably making some uncharitable jesting comments about Peter!) But seriously tho – what was Peter thinking? Like really? He didn’t think about the storm when he insisted that he walk on the water? Maybe his curiosity overrode his fear of drowning; or he was more afraid of ghosts!

Whatever it is, Jesus’s response on that water day assures us of the following

God has an awesome sense of humor – for it requires lots of humor to listen to some of our ludicrous requests

• God listens to us when we cry out – in both instances; Jesus heard Peter. It might have meant delayed/instant gratification for the other disciples in the boat; but Peter was heard

• God is but a cry away – when Peter cried out, Jesus stretched His hand! Peter was always THAT CLOSE to being saved

• God still has authority over the storms in our lives- If Peter walked on the stormy waves at Jesus’ command; God’s still God over the storms

• God’s provision is not dependent on our doubts and fears – at the moment Peter cried out, Jesus responded. Jesus also asked that all-important question: ‘WHY did you doubt?’ It may be that Peter’s doubts hurt Jesus’s feelings; nevertheless He saved Peter.

Of course we don’t necessarily SEE Jesus the way Peter did. But if we are able to trust God; we may see God’s hand reaching for us in the storms; and when we attempt to walk on water.

In Christ’s love and grace . . .