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Night on the Lake
225
Peter’s Self-Exaltation and His Fall
Looking unto Jesus, Peter walked securely; but as he glanced
back toward his companions in the boat, his eyes were turned from
the Saviour. The waves rolled high and he was afraid. For a moment
Christ was hidden from view, and his faith gave way. He began to
sink. But while the billows talked with death, Peter lifted his eyes
from the angry waters, and cried, “Lord, save me.” Jesus grasped
the outstretched hand, saying, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst
thou doubt?”
Walking side by side, Peter’s hand in that of his Master, they
stepped into the boat together. Peter was now subdued and silent.
Through unbelief and self-exaltation he had nearly lost his life.
When trouble comes, how often we look on the waves, instead
of keeping our eyes on the Saviour! The proud waters go over our
souls. Jesus does not call us to follow Him and then forsake us.
“Fear not,” He says. “When thou passest through the waters, I will
be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee... .
I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.”
Isaiah
43:1-3
.
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In this incident on the sea Jesus desired to reveal to Peter that
his safety was in constant dependence on divine power. Amid the
storms of temptation he could walk safely only as he should rely on
the Saviour. Where he thought himself strong, Peter was weak. Had
he learned the lesson in that experience on the sea, he would not
have failed when the great test came upon him.
Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of
daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage
to which His providence has appointed them. We may now suppose
that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We
may say with confidence, Nothing can shake my faith in God and in
His Word. But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary
and cultivated defects. Only through realizing our own weakness
and looking steadfastly to Jesus can we walk securely.
No sooner had Jesus taken His place in the boat than the wind
ceased, “and immediately the ship was at the land whither they
went.” The disciples and others on board bowed at the feet of Jesus
with thankful hearts, saying “Of a truth Thou art the Son of God!”
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