Today when asking the Lord what to write about, immediately I heard in my spirit, Matthew 14:27. That verse is contained in the account of Peter walking on the water. So rather than take a verse out of context, let’s just read the whole story, starting in verse 22.


Mat 14:22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
Mat 14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
Mat 14:24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
Mat 14:25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
Mat 14:26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
Mat 14:27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
Mat 14:28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
Mat 14:29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
Mat 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
Mat 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Mat 14:32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
Mat 14:33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.


Here we see the disciples had just witnessed the feeding of about five thousand men, besides women and children, with five loaves and two fishes, and when they had gathered twelve baskets full, Jesus sent them to go to the other side of the of the sea. Undoubtedly they were still feeling pretty excited about what the Lord did that day. Now they were out on the water having a hard time, and Jesus wasn’t there to take charge of the situation. All of a sudden, in the midst of the storm, here comes Jesus, walking on the water, no less! This was not something they had ever seen before, and they were scared at the sight, adding to being already stressed out from the effects of the storm.

I like this…..Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid…..how many times does the Lord Jesus whisper this into our spirit when we’re about to be overwhelmed? For some of us, it’s several times a week!
Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid…He whispers it when the doctor has just given us a bad report.
Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid…when you’re facing the loss of your job and/or home.
Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid….when a spouse has died and you’re all alone for the first time in many years.

Jesus wants you to be of good cheer, because He’s on YOUR side, and He’s got your back. If you look at it like that, what is there really to worry about? Can you imagine the scene when Peter saw Jesus walking on the water? Peter was a little bolder than most of us in his confidence in Jesus, and it probably went like this: Hey Jeeeeeeesus! If it’s really you, bid me come to you on the waaaaaaaater! Jesus said, Come. So Peter got out of the boat. After all, it’s about to sink anyway, why would he want to stay on it? And besides, he always wanted to walk on the water anyway, and now was as good a time as any..… But Peter was like you and me….we get brave and step out in faith, only to have the devil slap us down. But Jesus isn’t about to let His beloved ones down. Jesus not only pulled Peter up when he was sinking, but they walked together ON THE WATER back to the boat, so Peter got to get his feet wet, so to speak, in walking on the water.
Now, when they got back to the boat, the storm ceased immediately. Jesus said, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Jesus didn’t get mad at Peter and disown him, but rather, asked why he thought he couldn’t trust Him. And I think He asks all of us the same question when we come up on the short end of faith and trust in Him.
There have been times I’ve come up short on faith, yet Jesus is always true to character. He never fails. Why is it we keep listening to the devil’s lies? Are we really that dumb that we just don’t get it that God is faithful?
Every trial I’ve ever faced, the devil has told me that God wasn’t going to come through for me this time. And every time I’ve told him, Well, he always has before, and I know He will this time too.
And somehow, some way, doubt always tries to nag it’s way into my spirit, just like it did Peter out on the water that night. Of course, it was different for Peter, everyone knows you can’t walk on the water in the dark when it’s windy. At least, that’s what the devil tried to tell him. But do you know what? When Jesus is there, you CAN walk on the water, even when it’s dark and windy, and Peter proved it!

Whatever it is you’re facing today, the Lord is telling you, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid…..for whatever it is, no matter how big the problem, it’s nothing you and I together can’t solve. Let’s get together….you bring all your worries and problems. I’ll bring all the solutions. We’re made for each other, you and I. We will make a wonderful team, one that always works together, and always wins. Look at my record….I’ve never lost one in all eternity!