BBD 04.06.06 Walk by Faith
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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04.06.06
Walk by Faith
But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the
wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them,
walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they
were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But
immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not
be afraid." And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me
to come to You on the water." So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come
down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 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?"
And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the
boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God." -
Matthew 14:24-33.
For we walk by faith, not by sight. - 2 Corinthians 5:7.
Just in time for Easter is another attempt to explain away one of the
miracles of Jesus. Professor Doron Nof, who is an oceanographer at Florida
State University says, "If you ask me if I believe someone walked on water,
no, I don't. I believe something natural was there that explains it."
Professor Nof's explanation is that there may have been a freak cold spell
forming patches of ice known as "springs ice" which would have been able to
support a man's weight. Professor Nof writes, "Because of the size of the
springs ice, a person standing or walking on it would appear to a distant
observer to be 'walking on water." According to Nof's research there was a
colder than normal weather pattern in northern Israel 1,500 to 2,600 years
ago.
People have been trying to explain away the miracles of the Bible almost
from the time that they occurred. Do you believe that God exists or that He
does not exist (Hebrews 11:6)? If you believe that God does not exist you
would naturally try to explain away every miraculous event. However, if you
believe that God does exist than it is very easy for you to accept that
Jesus, who was fully God, while being fully man, was able to walk on water.
After all since God created everything He should be able to suspend the laws
of nature if He decides to do so.
To believe the Bible to be true and the miracles of the Bible to be true is
a matter of faith. To believe upon Jesus for salvation is a matter of faith.
If we do not believe Jesus could walk on water how can we possibly believe
that He died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice thereby providing a
Savior to all who will receive Him?
Everything about Christianity requires faith. Here is a definition of faith
from the Encarta Online Dictionary which is close to our need for defining
faith on a spiritual basis: "belief in, devotion to, or trust in somebody or
something, especially without logical proof." It takes faith to believe and
receive Jesus as your Savior. It takes faith to pray. It takes faith to
tithe. It takes faith to witness. It takes faith to serve. It takes faith to
go to church. It takes faith to live a moral life instead of a
self-gratifying life.
As for me I choose to believe by faith (i.e. "Without logical proof.") that
Jesus literally walked upon water and that Peter did too until he saw the
wind. Not only that but also that Jesus the Son of God made the wind stop
blowing when He arrived at the boat. How about you? Do you believe? Choose
to walk by faith. It is not just about the great miracles of the Bible - it
is about everyday living, believing that God is real and that He makes a
difference in your life. Walk by faith. Live a life of faith.
Copyright © 2006. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the devotionals
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