HELP IS NEAR

“But when he noticed how strong the wind was, he became afraid and started to sink. He shouted, “Lord, save me!”” (Matthew 14:30, GW)

It is easier to give up and give in to destructive forces than it is to hold on by faith and fight back for a life worth living. To live, you have to overcome your fears, your doubts, your feelings of inadequacy and powerlessness, and resist every force intent on pulling you down and under.

Life sometimes does feel like Peter must have felt as he walked on water in Matthew 14:28-32. He started out full of confidence and enthusiasm, but before long his steps began to be tentative as his attention shifted and he became aware of the strength of the wind around him. By focusing on what the wind was doing his fear was fed, his faith starved, and he began to sink.

What do you do when you find yourself overwhelmed with everything that is going on in and around your life? What do you do when you are left feeling incredibly vulnerable and powerless; when you don't know how to keep yourself from falling? Peter had only one thing left to do. He screamed for dear life...He called out to God for help - "He shouted, "Lord, save me!"" 

Peter's shout was a cry of desperation. In desperate times, desperate "faith-fuelled" measures are called for. If you are convinced that there is no way out, then of course you will see no reason to keep holding on. However, if you want to live, doing nothing is not an option. Whatever the reason for the struggle you face or the cause of it, your strength will be supernaturally renewed if by faith you will remember to turn to the Lord and call to Him for help! You will never know how much God cares until you trust Him completely! 

God promised His people that He will do a new thing, He told them about the miracle He will perform and said He will give them "water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert." But the people neglected the promise of God's help. God said, "Yet you did not call upon me..." (Isaiah 43:18, 20, 22). Peter did not make that mistake. When he became afraid and started to sink, he did not neglect the Lord's help. He shouted, "Lord, save me!"

Yes there are going to be times when you must contend with the onslaught of spiritual forces of darkness attacking from all sides and constantly challenging your resolve to live as God has called you to do by faith. But if you are determined to overcome these challenges you have to first of all concede that you need the help. Secondly, you have to be humble enough to recognise that you don't have the power in yourself and that you need the power of God. And thirdly, you have to have faith that God will answer when you call. When Peter called out for help, the Lord reached out and help him to his feet. 

Peter was once again walking on the water. It is so important at this point to notice that the help Peter received from the Lord was not only sufficient to keep him from sinking, but also sustained his faith. He was consequently able to continue walking on the water by faith all the way to his destination. Praise God! By the strength the Lord supplies we can do ALL things!

There is help and safety in the Lord Jesus Christ! There is salvation in Him, there is healing in Him, and in Him there is deliverance and preservation. Resist your fears and turn to the Lord in faith. Help is near! He said, "Call to me and I will answer you..." (Jeremiah 33:3)

Believe it and confess that "The Lord is my help!" May the Lord preserve you and keep you from falling! The Lord has brought you here; the Lord will see you through!