June 5, 2002
Reading: Matt 14: 22-33
“When I looked, there
was a hand stretched out to me” Ezek 2:9
This account of Peter walking on the water is one of the more familiar in the Bible. So often, the emphasis is placed on Peter for his initial faith and confidence in Jesus, then of his fear when he took his eyes off Him and began to sink. Our text in Ezekiel reminds me of this story - not of Peter, but of Jesus.
How many times have we looked to God in desperation and found His hand stretched out toward us? He stretched out His hand in healing the blind, deaf and crippled; He stretched His hand out for Thomas to touch to bring him comfort and confidence. As the Good Shepherd He reached out and picked up the lost sheep and placed it on His shoulders. He welcomed His prodigal son home with outstretched arms. Whatever the need or circumstance, if we look up we will find His hand stretched out toward us.
The hand of God could have been outstretched toward Ezekiel, but if he had not “looked up” he would never have seen it. David wrote, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills; From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth” Ps 121:1-2. Our help comes from the Lord, but we need to look up, see His outstretched hand, and receive it.
Why are some of us slow in accepting His help? Why do we seek other sources of help when we know His hand is outstretched toward us? Why do we wait until all other sources have failed before we reach out and grasp His hand? I believe this is part of our growth in Christ. The more we walk with Him, the quicker we are to turn to Him. The “old man” within us still wants us to solve our own problems and leave Christ out of the equation.
When Peter cried out, “Lord, save
me,” Jesus Immediately stretched out His hand and caught him. The response from
Jesus was immediate. Peter’s condition called for an immediate response. There
are times when we feel God does not hear our cry, but we can be assured He is
there and will act in accord with His will and purpose. Ezekiel “looked, and
Peter “cried out. Moses stretched his rod over the sea and the waters parted.
The priests put their feet into the Jordon and a pathway was cleared for the
Israelites to cross over into
“If you will, then I shall,” is a scriptural principle. Throughout the Old Testament we find many instances where God says, “If you will obey My voice, then I will bless you …” In the New Testament we read, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9.
“But as one was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, "Alas, master! For it was borrowed." So the man of God said, "Where did it fall?" And he showed him the place. So he cut off a stick, and threw it in there; and he made the iron float. Therefore he said, "Pick it up for yourself." So he reached out his hand and took it” 2 Kings 6:5-7. God is willing to perform the miracle, but there are times when he tells us to, “Pick it up for yourself.” May we learn to reach out our hand and take hold of that which God offers.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” Matt 7:7-8.