How Long?

I find myself increasingly asking the question, "How long, Lord?" I look at my current situation and much like the Psalmist I ask: "How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?" ~ Psalm 13:1.... it just seems like I am fighting an uphill battle lately. When trials hit my life, they all hit at the same time and God I just don't feel strong enough. I am in a ship and sinking fast. When will you reach out? This morning, He answered me. I was reading in the book of Matthew this morning and one small word stood out in a big way. It jumped off of the page and into my heart.... Matthew 14:22-32 22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

We all have heard or read this story at some point. Peter gets out of the boat; Peter walks on water towards Christ the Messiah; Peter gets scared..... Peter sinks..... Peter is saved by our Jesus. Today I read this passage for probably the one hundredth time in my life. But, I read today with open eyes and an open heart. First of all, woo hoo!!!! Way to go Peter! Out of the twelve, YOU are the only one to step out of the boat! With a storm that horrendous brewing all around you, that took some guts. Second.... You looked to the One in Whom you place your trust. Smart thinking. Yes, you got scared and started to doubt. I understand. I get that way too sometimes. But you knew Who to call to when times get tough. You cried out to the one and only Saviour. You cried out to the One you knew could reach you no matter where you were, are, or might be headed. Last of all, IMMEDIATELY, He responds. The Alpha and Omega; Messiah; Saviour; the Christ.... I know from the minute you stepped out, He stepped toward you. He knew all along how this would turn out. Yet He still called you to COME. He still reached to you.... and immediately, He saved you. Dear God, that I have the strength not only to step out on the water; but also to look to you.... walk toward you... and cry out to you. Help me to always remember that whenever I act, you immediately react. I love You.