PARTICIPANTS IN THE MIRACULOUS by Karen Roth
Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side …and when he had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray … alone …But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying,
“Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” ~
Jesus went up alone to pray on the mountain during the ‘fourth watch.’ Between 3 AM and 6 AM is also called the ‘morning watch’ or the ‘last watch’ of the night. Immediately after, the sun rises.
The fourth watch is the period of time just before awakening when the conscious mind is aware but not quite in control. Matthew wanted us to be cognizant of the time—that something amazing happened during the ‘fourth watch’ of the night.
There’s a spirit of repose resting upon us in the portion of night between sleeping and waking. During this time our mind becomes very receptive to heavenly visitation. If we become aware of what’s happening, we may break through the thinning veil that separates heaven and earth to participate in the miraculous.
= OPERATING IN THE SUPERNATURAL
And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water. So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on
the water to go to Jesus. ~
Peter saw Jesus operating in supernatural power. He wanted to participate. From past experiences he knew that whatever Jesus commanded, it happened. If Jesus commanded him to walk on water, he would walk on water!
Jesus’ command to Peter was one single word, “ Come.” There’s no pleading … no rebuking the opposition … there’s not even a pep ta lk to encourage him.
Immediately, Peter jumped out of the boat to walk on water.
= STRONG VOICE OF OPPOSITION
And when Peter had come out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” ~ MATTHEW 14:29-30
As a fisherman, it was common to experience turbulent storms on the Sea of Galilee. But something is different about the voice of the wind, and he became afraid. It’s possible that he expected authority over every opposition—he expected calm seas.
Does it sound like what happens to us? We ask God to open a way for us to do the impossible. When He does, how often do we stop because there’s some turbulence or resistance? Like Peter, we feel a ‘boisterous wind’ means we did something wrong, or asked amiss—so we stop.
The lesson he learned teaches us the value of enduring faith—the confidence that “I can do this because Jesus commanded it.” Or “I will succeed because He opened the door.” If we focus on the promise, we’ll fulfill ou r destiny in the midst of the storm.
Enduring faith believes God’s Word will come to pass—regardless of our present circumstances.
= LESSON LEARNED
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got in the boat, the wind ceased. ~
MATTHEW 14:31-32
Peter wasn’t a failure. He didn’t blow his cha nce of walking on water. He already participated in the supernatural activity. And, the moment Peter began to sink, Jesus stretched out His hand to keep him above water.
Jesus asked an important question: “Why did you doubt?” If Peter can answer, he learned a valuable lesson. Back in the boat, the wind stopped being a threat … and the lesson was over.
If we can give an honest answer to why we doubt, then we likewise learned our lesson. Next time we’ll know what to do. If we walk through a difficult situation, we’ll be mindful of Jesus’ command—and ignore everything tha t’s contrary to it.
= PARTICIPANTS IN THE MIRACULOUS
Those who participate in the miraculous learn to surrender to the Word of God.
Peter had two choices: surrender to the command of Jesus, or surrender to the contrary voice of the wind. Who or what he surrendered to would rule. When he doubted the command of Jesus, he began sinking. Peter surrendered to a contrary voice that spoke against the command of Jesus—and he would have sunk unless Jesus intervened.
If we follow what Peter learned, we likewise can participate in the miraculous:
He was awake and aware of what was happening in the fourth watch
He was ready! He knew exactly what to ask from Jesus—convinced that if Jesus commanded anything, it happened
Peter immediately took action
Peter cannot fail, Jesus’ outstretched hand kept him safely above water
THE DAWNING OF A NEW DAY
And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
PETER 1:19
History confirms that the prophetic word spoken by the prophets happened. Therefore we have confidence to heed the direction and wisdom imparted to us through God’s Word.
The new day has likewise dawned in our hearts. Yet we wait for the confirmation that it’s fully come in the visible manifestation of the Body of Christ. We participate by actively taking part in the restoration of His Body.
This generation has the honor of experiencing the fourth watch in the House of God. At His bidding, we confidently walk into the dawning of a new day and participate in the miraculous.
Are you ready to participate in what’s been prepared for us since the foundation of the world?
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