It’s Time to Walk on the Water

Moving Beyond Fear, Trusting God, and Walking by Faith

Key Scripture: Matthew 14:28–29 (NLT)

“Then Peter called to him, ‘Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.’ ‘Yes, come,’ Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.”

When God Calls You Beyond Your Comfort Zone

The ocean is a powerful force of nature. It commands our respect because of its vastness, depth, and unpredictable nature. It can be beautiful and peaceful, yet frightening at the same time. Some people are so afraid of the ocean that they would rather not take a cruise or even fly over large bodies of water.

Why? Because the ocean reminds us that there are things we cannot control. We cannot see everything beneath its surface, predict every change in its conditions, or fully comprehend its depths.

But think about this: Who has authority over something as vast and powerful as the ocean?

The answer is the God who created it!

Yet, while we acknowledge God's power over creation, we sometimes struggle to trust Him when the circumstances of our own lives feel just as overwhelming.

Think about the similarities between the ocean and life. Sometimes we feel small and insignificant. We cannot see what lies ahead. Our circumstances overwhelm us, we feel as though we have lost control, and we may even feel isolated from the people around us. There are seasons when we cannot understand what is happening or find the words to express what we are experiencing.

But just as the ocean is subject to God's authority, our circumstances are never beyond His knowledge or reach.

In Matthew 14, the disciples were in a boat in the middle of a storm. The wind was blowing, and the waves were rising. They were struggling to manage a situation beyond their control.

Then Jesus came walking toward them on the water.

Peter called out, asking Jesus to invite him to come. Jesus answered, “Yes, come.”

Peter stepped out of the boat and began walking on the water toward Jesus. But when he noticed the wind and became afraid, he began to sink.

What can we learn from Peter?

Sometimes, walking with God requires us to step beyond what feels safe and trust Him in what feels impossible.

It is time to stop allowing fear to keep us in the boat. It is time to trust the One who has called us. It is time to walk on the water!

1. Trust God to Make a Way Through Your Red Sea

Scripture: Exodus 14:21–22 (NKJV)

“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided. So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground.”

Imagine what the Israelites must have felt when they stood before the Red Sea. Pharaoh's army was behind them, and an enormous body of water stood before them. From a natural perspective, they had nowhere to go.

But God had a plan they could not see.

God instructed Moses to stretch out his hand, and the waters parted. What appeared to be an impossible obstacle became a pathway to deliverance.

Notice something important: God parted the sea, but the Israelites still had to walk through it.

They had to trust Him enough to take the next step.

Sometimes we want God to show us the entire plan before we move. We want to know how everything will work out and whether we will encounter any more obstacles. But there are times when God gives us direction for the next step without revealing the entire journey.

He may open a door, but we must walk through it. He may provide an opportunity, but we must be willing to pursue it. He may give us the courage to begin again, but we must be willing to leave behind what He has brought us through.

Your Red Sea may be a financial challenge, a difficult transition, a broken relationship, or an uncertain future. Whatever it is, do not allow the size of your obstacle to determine the size of your faith.

Walking by faith does not mean that we know how everything will turn out. It means we trust God's character even when we cannot see the outcome.

Reflection: What is your Red Sea? What situation seems impossible, and what step of faith might God be asking you to take?

2. Ask God to Open Your Eyes to What You Cannot See

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:16–17 (NIV)

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

“And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

Elisha's servant woke up to discover that an enemy army had surrounded the city. All he could see was danger. He immediately asked, “What shall we do?”

Have you ever looked at your circumstances and asked God the same question?

“Lord, how am I going to get through this? Where will the help come from? What am I supposed to do now?”

The servant saw a real threat, but he could not see the spiritual reality surrounding him. Elisha prayed for God to open his eyes, and the servant saw the heavenly army that had been there all along.

The circumstances had not changed before the servant saw the army. What changed was his perspective.

Sometimes, we become so focused on what we see that we forget what we know about God. We focus on the bills, the disappointment, the unanswered questions, or the doors that seem closed.

But Romans 12:2 teaches us that we are transformed by the renewing of our minds.

A renewed mind does not deny reality. It learns to view reality through the truth of God's Word.

You may not understand what God is doing, but you can trust His wisdom. You may not know what is coming next, but you can seek His direction. Faith does not mean pretending that every situation will turn out exactly as we wish. It means trusting God even when we do not understand the outcome.

Reflection: Have you been so focused on what you see that you have forgotten what you know about God? What truth from His Word can help you change your perspective?

3. Make Walking by Faith a Way of Life

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Walking by faith is not something we do only when life becomes difficult. It is the way we are called to live as followers of Jesus Christ.

It is often easier to trust God when everything is going well. But what happens when the door closes, the answer does not come, or the situation becomes more difficult than we expected?

That is when our faith is tested.

Walking by faith means trusting God on the good days, the difficult days, and the days when we do not know what to expect. It means continuing to pray when we have not received the answer, obeying God's Word when our emotions tell us to do something different, and taking the next right step when we cannot see the entire path.

Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that without faith it is impossible to please God.

Faith is more than believing that God can do something. It is learning to trust Him with what He chooses to do, how He chooses to do it, and when He chooses to do it.

Think of faith as a spiritual muscle. Physical muscles grow stronger through exercise. Similarly, our faith is strengthened as we repeatedly put our trust in God through life's ordinary and extraordinary circumstances.

Every time we choose obedience over fear, prayer over panic, and God's truth over discouragement, we exercise our faith.

You cannot wait until you feel completely fearless to begin walking by faith. Sometimes courage means taking the next step while acknowledging that you are still afraid.

God is not asking you to know everything that lies ahead. He is calling you to trust Him with the step in front of you.

Reflection: Is your faith dependent on what you can see, or are you learning to trust God even when you cannot see the outcome? What is one area where you need to practice walking by faith?

4. Choose Belief Over Doubt

Scripture: Matthew 14:30–31 (AMP)

“But when he saw [the effects of] the wind, he was frightened, and he began to sink, and he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus extended His hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’”

Peter had already done something remarkable. He had stepped out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he noticed the wind, fear took over.

The storm was already present when Jesus called Peter to come. The wind had not suddenly appeared. What changed was Peter's focus.

This is how doubt can take hold of us. God gives us direction, but when we encounter resistance, we begin to question whether we heard Him correctly. We take a step of faith, but when things become difficult, we wonder whether we can continue.

We ask ourselves, “What if it does not work out? What if I fail? What if things get worse?”

But the presence of a storm does not automatically mean we have missed God. Sometimes, we encounter difficulties while following His direction.

The answer is not to pretend the storm does not exist. The answer is to keep our eyes on Jesus and remember who He is.

Notice what happened when Peter began to sink. He cried out, “Lord, save me!” And Jesus immediately reached out His hand and caught him.

Jesus did not leave Peter to drown because his faith had faltered.

This reminds us that when our faith feels weak, we can still call on the Lord. When we become overwhelmed, we can still pray. When fear begins to take over, we can turn our attention back to the One who is able to help us.

We must also learn to recognize God's voice through prayer and the study of His Word. The more grounded we become in Scripture, the better equipped we are to distinguish God's truth from our fears, assumptions, and emotions.

Faith does not mean you will never struggle with doubt. Faith means you know where to turn when doubt begins to overwhelm you.

Reflection: What has been competing for your attention lately? Are you allowing fear to speak louder than God's truth, or are you bringing your doubts to Him and choosing to trust His Word?

5. Keep Reaching for Jesus in Your Difficult Season

Scripture: Luke 8:48 (KJV)

“And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.”

The woman with the issue of blood had suffered for twelve years. She had spent her resources seeking help, yet her condition remained unresolved.

Her circumstances were physically exhausting, emotionally painful, and socially isolating. She had every reason to feel discouraged.

Yet when she heard about Jesus, she believed that if she could reach out and touch the hem of His garment, she could be healed. She pressed through the crowd until she reached Him, and she was healed.

Her faith moved her to action.

She did not allow her long history of suffering to convince her that change was impossible. She did not allow the difficulty of her situation to stop her from reaching for Jesus.

Perhaps you have been praying about something for years. Perhaps you are tired of waiting, tired of disappointment, or tired of carrying a burden that few people understand.

Do not allow disappointment to convince you that prayer is pointless. Do not allow a prolonged struggle to define your identity.

This woman's story reminds us of Jesus' compassion and power. Although faith is not a formula that guarantees a particular outcome or timeline, we can continue to bring our needs to God with confidence.

We can trust Him to meet us in our suffering, give us wisdom for our decisions, sustain us through the waiting, and work in our lives even when the outcome differs from what we hoped.

Your circumstances may be difficult, but you can still reach for Jesus. Your season may be painful, but you do not have to walk through it without hope.

Reflection: What have you been carrying for a long time that has left you weary or discouraged? How can you continue reaching for Jesus while trusting Him with the outcome?

6. Remember That Jesus Is With You in the Storm

Scripture: Isaiah 43:2 (NKJV)

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.”

One of the most comforting truths in our walk with God is that His presence is not limited to peaceful circumstances.

God does not promise that we will never encounter deep waters. He promises His presence as we pass through them.

Notice the words: “When you pass through the waters.” Difficult seasons will come. There will be times when life feels overwhelming and answers are unclear. But the water is not the whole story. God says, “I will be with you.”

In Matthew 14, Jesus did not call Peter to walk on the water and then abandon him when he became afraid. When Peter began to sink, Jesus immediately extended His hand.

Peter's experience shows us that even when our faith falters, we can turn to Jesus for help.

You may be navigating a painful transition, rebuilding after disappointment, or making decisions that require courage. You do not have to manufacture your own strength. You can ask God for help, lean on His Word, and receive support from trustworthy people.

Sometimes God changes our circumstances. Sometimes He strengthens us to endure them. Sometimes He leads us through a process we do not fully understand.

But we can continue trusting His presence, wisdom, and faithfulness.

The goal is not to become so strong that you never need help. The goal is to know where to turn when you do.

Reflection: Where do you need to be reminded of God's presence today? What would change if you approached that situation knowing that you do not have to face it alone?

Personal Reflection: What Is Keeping You in the Boat?

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5–6 (KJV)

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Peter was willing to step out of the boat when Jesus called him. What about you?

Sometimes the boat represents the place where we feel secure. It is familiar, predictable, and comfortable. We know what to expect there. But what happens when God is calling us to move beyond what is familiar?

Perhaps fear has kept you from pursuing an opportunity. Perhaps uncertainty has caused you to delay a decision. Maybe you know it is time to make a change, but you are afraid of what might happen next.

Walking on the water does not mean acting recklessly or ignoring wisdom. It means being willing to follow God's direction when it aligns with His Word, even when obedience requires courage.

Take a moment to consider these questions:

1. What is God asking me to trust Him with in this season?

2. What fear or uncertainty has been keeping me in the boat?

3. Am I allowing my circumstances to shape my view of God, or allowing God's Word to shape my view of my circumstances?

4. What practical step of faith can I take this week?

You do not have to know every detail of the journey before you begin. Seek God, ground yourself in His Word, and be willing to take the next step.

Closing: It Is Time to Get Out of the Boat!

Peter's story is not simply about walking on water. It is about responding to the invitation of Jesus, trusting Him beyond our natural abilities, and learning to depend on Him when circumstances become frightening.

The disciples were in a storm, but Jesus was not intimidated by it. The waves that threatened their safety were beneath His feet. What frightened them was under His authority.

Let that truth encourage you today.

The circumstances that overwhelm you do not overwhelm God. The things you cannot see do not escape His knowledge. The situations you cannot control do not diminish His power.

You may not know how your financial situation will work out. You may not know what the next chapter of your life will look like. You may be facing a difficult decision, a painful transition, or a season of waiting that has tested your faith.

But you can still trust God.

You can trust Him enough to take the next step. You can trust Him enough to obey when the way forward feels unfamiliar. You can trust Him enough to keep praying when the answer has not yet come.

And when fear begins to rise, you can call on Jesus, just as Peter did.

Your moment of fear does not have to become your final destination.

Perhaps you have spent enough time allowing fear to dictate your decisions. Perhaps you have remained in a place of comfort because you are afraid of what lies beyond it.

Today, let your faith rise above your fear.

Do not wait until you can see the entire path. Seek God, use wisdom, and be willing to take the next step He places before you.

The ocean may be vast. The waves may be powerful. The future may be uncertain.

But the God who created the ocean is greater than anything you will ever face.

It's time to walk on the water—not because the storm is insignificant, but because Jesus is worthy of your trust.

Declaration of Faith

I will not allow fear to dictate the direction of my life. I will trust God even when I cannot see what lies ahead. I will not allow the size of my circumstances to determine the strength of my faith. I will seek God's wisdom, stand on His Word, and take the steps of obedience He places before me.

When I feel overwhelmed, I will call on Jesus. When I feel uncertain, I will seek His direction. When I am afraid, I will remember that He is with me.

I am stepping out of the boat. I am moving beyond fear. I am learning to walk by faith and not by sight. With God's help, I will keep my eyes on Jesus. It is time to walk on the water!

Amen.