Matthew (14:22-32) records a sort of  “Gilligan’s Island” incident involving a boat, some passengers, and a storm during their “three hour tour.”

It begins when Yeshua tells His disciples to head off in the boat and go on to the other side while He dismissed the crowds. After the crowds headed home, Yeshua went up the mountain side to refresh Himself in prayer.

It had grown late while He was there by Himself so by now the boat was a long way from the shore and was being impeded to its ‘other side’ destination by the wind and the waves which were against them.

The disciples see Yeshua heading out to them walking on the rough waters and fearfully concluded He was a ghost. Yeshua immediately told them to have unflinching, bold courage for the means of living out the Spirit-produced inner confidence in His Word for them “to go (AND arrive safely) to the other side.” To this Peter replied, “Ok, Lord. If it really is You, give the command for me to come to You ON the waters.” “Well, COME on then!” Yeshua answered.

Trusting in Yeshua’s Word, “Come,” Peter stepped out of the boat then sure’nuff  he was walking on the water! 

But began sinking when he panicked at the wind’s fury so he screamed, “Lord save me!”

Yeshua immediately stretched out his hand, took hold of Peter, and asked, “Such little trust in My promise to never leave you! Why did you doubt with Me standing right by your side?”

Most paintings do this story injustice by depicting Peter almost underwater, or a few with him totaling immersed, while Yehsua is still trying to get to him. Yet, Matthew 14:31 states Yeshua immediately grabbed Peter’s hand

Yahweh, do not be far from me!

My Elohim, make haste to help me!

(Psalm  71:12)

It also seems a bit unfair so many preachers want to focus on Peter’s failings and not the fact that Peter is the only disciple with “Walked on Water” printed on his resume.

What about those play-it-safe-and-stay-in-the-boat disciples? Were they cheering Peter on or joining the waves of doubt by asking Peter if he really heard their Teacher correctly about going out to Him?

Would it rectify anything if we knew how many steps Peter took while being absolutely confident that God had the power to do what He had promised (Romans 4:21) before he began to sink?

It’s easier said than done to ‘jump the ship’ of doubt and to be fully committed to a water walk if I didn’t allow that ‘sinking feeling’ after listening to others reminding me of my ‘wet’ failures.

His promises are not a ‘sink or swim’ proposition. Each time the Teacher said, “Come,” (To Noah into the ark, Peter on the water…) He was already there; to the place He was calling.

So, whether Yeshua bids me to get in the boat and go to the other side, or step out of my boat of comfort and into the storm, I need to have absolute trust He’s calling me to where He IS!

When each “Three Hour Tour of Tribulation” (John 16:33) is set to sail, I’ll experience less apprehension as one foot touches the water to experience how solid His Word feels beneath me. Which will give me the courage to release my other leg still in the boat with it’s just-in-case-this-doesn’t-work-out footing to become a card carrying “Wave Walker.”