122. The Prayer Of Peter.

The Prayer Of Peter. The Prayer asrecorded.—Matthew 14:25-30. The Lord’s Answer.—Matthew 14:31-32.

If there are any who feel confident that nothing can disturb their faith, learn from the prayer of a man devoted to the Savior, excitable in temperament, but unacquainted with his own heart, a lesson; learn to cast your all upon Christ, for in time of trial your faith may waver like Peter’s, and unless your Savior rescue you, you may sink in the sea of despair. Alone in the mountain, our Savior had been engaged in prayer, and at the hour of sunrise hastened to join his disciples, whom he had sent a little in advance of him in a ship. It was a frail, open vessel, and exposed to the fury of the waves, for the winds were contrary. But a cheering, peaceful voice is sounding over the waters, and a form of light and love is treading them beneath his feet. It is a voice assuring the disciples that help is nigh at hand, and that the Savior has come to rescue them; from their troubled spirits he would drive away all fear, and bids them trust in him. Peter, confident in his faith, and trusting in it, is upheld for a time as the waves bear him towards the Lord; but as they clash around him he becomes fearful. Then comes his wild cry for help. As long as his faith was fixed on the power of Christ he was firm and supported, but the angry billow drew him away, and he began to sink. He knows, however, though the storm staggered his faith, his great deliverer is near. His prayer proves that Peter knew where his safety lay, and where to flee in time of danger. Our Savior bid him come to show him his weakness, and to teach every humble follower of his since the lesson, that would we walk firmly on the waves of life’s troubled ocean, we must never lose sight of the Savior, or become deaf to the declaration, “It is I, be not afraid.” We are frail beings, tossed and easily overcome by the billows, but if God is our strength we need not fear; there is a land of peace and beauty which no eye hath seen. This land can only be reached by crossing a boisterous sea. If the waves of sorrow seem about to engulf you, trust in the Savior to sustain you; if one after another of those you love fall around you, and you are in danger of sinking under the waters of affliction, go to Jesus; he will strengthen you that you may stand upright on those waters, and you will be comforted by the truth that “they who sleep in Jesus will God bring with him” Is it the loss of property which threatens to shake your dependence on the Almighty? listen to the voice “It is I”—in heaven is a more enduring substance. Is it broken friendships, the scattering of cherished hopes, the failure of plans, which “like a sea of trouble” threatens to overwhelm you, and lead you to forget the Savior? Remember your “light afflictions” are working for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, and after battling with the waves, Christ will gently lead you to a heaven of rest—the winds will cease, and the waves stop their moaning, for you will have safely walked over the waters, and with outstretched arms your Savior waits with the joyful words, “It is I, be not afraid.” O trust not in your own strength, or think your faith too strong to waver, till God has tried you as he did Peter.