HOW TO DO THE HUMANLY IMPOSSIBLE IN LIFE
Our Lord Jesus promised to empower us so we can do the extraordinary. Luke 24:49 “And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high." John 14:12 “"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father.”
Here are the realities of doing the humanly impossible from Matthew 14:22-33:
1. Despite your busy schedule set time alone with God.
Verses 22-23 “Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.”
If you claim that being so busy how much do you think our Lord Jesus was in His earthly ministry? He was so occupied yet He made sure that the time to talk to His Father is indispensable. How can we represent God without spending enough time to know and hear from Him? Do we really have current news and revelations from Him? We have to imitate Jesus who did exactly what His Father was doing at the moment. John 5:17 “But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working still, and I am working."”
2. Know that your faith will be tested
Verse 24-25 “but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.” We indeed believe in miracle working God but sometimes He will allow our faith to be tested. Jesus knew what His disciples were going through yet He chose to distance Himself briefly. He waited until the fourth watch (dawn) then came walking on the see. Jesus didn’t walk on the sea for show but out of necessity. There was no other human means for Jesus to get there. But also He wanted to teach them that He can walk on the same wind that was against them. Mark added something when he was narrating the same story. Mark 6:48 “And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them.” Jesus saw them struggling when He was in prayers and when He came walking on water, He meant to pass by them. Probably you feel like God has forsaken or abandoned you. I want to tell you that He is there watching you right now!
3. Know that sometimes Jesus appears in a different way than the one you are used to.
Verse 26 “But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear.”
If you only know Jesus who walks on the land like you, you will be terrified when you see Him walking on the water. You may go far and think it is the devil. But I want you to know that Jesus who saved us is also the creator of the universe. Don’t limit Him because He works in mysterious ways. He can manifest Himself in different ways depending on your situation. Don’t think that everything different from your experience is demonic. Sometimes it is God’s manifestation in a higher dimension. Ask the Spirit of God to teach you new ways of God’s workings.
4. Identify His real voice (distinguish His voice from others)
Verse 27 “But immediately he spoke to them, saying, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear."”
When you doubt your plans you need to hear Jesus saying Take heart, it is I; have no fear! Imagine if His disciples didn’t recognize His voice. They would continue to be overwhelmed by fear of death. Jesus' voice is meek but satan has a rude language. Mat 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Jesus’ voice will never bring confusion but peace of mind. Jesus will never give you a prophetic message that brings confusion or destruction in life.
5. Pray the prayer that needs a step of faith
Verse 28 “And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water."”
We have to give up the “God-will-do-it-alone” kind of prayer. Our God works in partnership with His beloved. We made a covenant with Him – When you do this, I will do that. So we must play our part. Rom 8:28 “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.” Peter didn’t ask Jesus to come in the boat to take him out. Instead, he said, Lord if it is you, command me to come to you on the water. Pray and know your role in the process of receiving your tangible answers.
6. When you hear His call act without discussing with friends and colleagues.
Verse 29 “He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.”
What could have happened if Peter shared his plan to ask Jesus to allow him to walk on the water? Probably his fellow disciples would discourage him. When you know that it is the will of God for you to do something, do it right away. Your fellow believers may discourage you because they didn’t hear from God like you. After your prayers and divine instructions, do it instead of waiting for God to do everything for you. Somebody was asking God for a car and he felt God was leading him to go to the car-selling shop and claim one without any cash. He went there and asked for a car. To his surprise, he was given one free of charge. What would have happened if he prayed and stayed at home without taking any step of faith?
7. Keep your eyes on Jesus even amid winds and challenges
Verse 30 “but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me."”
Peter sank when he moved his eyes away from Jesus and looked at the wind. As long as you fix your eyes on Jesus you are guaranteed success. Faith is fixing your eyes on Jesus and fear is fixing your eyes on the challenges or some prominent figures of this world. No pastor, bishop, or pope can rescue you in the situation you are going through. Only Jesus Christ can save you because we are given no other name. Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."”
8. Never forget to call upon Jesus when you are about to sink.
Verse 30 “but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me."”
Sometimes we easily forget to call Jesus when we are in trouble. Instead, we wait until all other means have failed. This mentality is costly for no reason because you may find yourself coming to Jesus when you are already bankrupt after witch doctors have exhausted you. Nothing is impossible with God. Jesus can solve all kinds of problems if you put your total trust in Him. You are limited by your measure of faith and not His sovereignty. He is able and willing to save you.
9. Know that Jesus will hold you and not necessarily carry you.
Verse 31 “Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?"”
You are not a baby or a luggage to be carried. So Jesus will catch you and give you strength to walk on the water. Many Christians today rely on prayers from preachers without doing anything. This is the reason why their answers are not permanent. The same problems in their life come and go. God didn’t raise a five-fold ministry for doing everything for us. He called spiritual ministers for equipping the church. Eph 4:11,12 “And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” Spiritual ministers are like generals and commanders to equip the army and not protect the army.
10. Never get used to God’s operations
Verse 32 “And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.”
There was a time Jesus calmed the wind but this time He waited until they were back in the boat. He knows what is suitable for your current situation. There is a tendency for some believers to challenge other ministers who minister differently. You are not the first to have this judgmental attitude. Even in Jesus’ earthly ministry that happened. Luke 9:49,50 “John answered, "Master, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he does not follow with us." But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid him; for he that is not against you is for you."” Nobody today can dare say he or she has a copyright for Jesus' ministry. Jesus calls and uses whoever He wants without any prior consultation.
11. Don’t be surprised when your close friends overlook your endeavors.
Verse 33 “And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."” Surprisingly, Mark 6:45-52 and John 6:15-21 shared the same story but they didn’t talk about Peter's miraculous walking on the seawater. But even in Matthew's story, we don’t see his fellow disciples encouraging him for his attempt. Probably they even cautioned him that he may die next time if he tries to do what he did. I’m convinced to say this because when Peter joined his friends with Jesus they were only amazed by what Jesus did. They are very right because no one should touch the glory of God. But at least they would also see that Peter dared to do something humanly impossible. We tend to talk about Peter sinking and forget that he walked some distance on the water before sinking. Very few people see the positive side of your life. That’s why they don’t see anything good in you. But I want to encourage you that God has bestowed great things on you whether your critics like it or not. Just keep doing what God called you to do for Him and His kingdom and He will one day reward you in the presence of your friends who take you for granted.
MY PRAYERS FOR YOU TODAY:
1. I pray that God will remind you that even if you are so busy you need to set time for fellowship with Him because He is the one who gives you strength to work and breath to breathe.
2. I pray that God will help you acknowledge His new way of doing things so you are not passed by.
3. I pray that God will enable you to take a step of faith after your prayers to make your dreams a reality.
4. I pray that Jesus will empower you to walk on the water of your problems and challenges of life.
I want to assure you that God has great things in store for you in His treasury. Just commit your entire life to Him.
Dr. Lawi Mshana, +255712924234; Korogwe, Tanga, Tanzania
