January 26, 2022-The Power in Our Surrender to Jesus Can Produce Great Work Through the Holy Spirit.

We all have heard the story of the Apostle Peter and Jesus walking on the water. In the Book of Matthew, in chapter 14 verses 15-20, Jesus had just finished feeding the five thousand. He then sent His disciples ahead of Him on the boat on the Sea of Galilee while Jesus sent the people away.

Matthew: 14: 22-24

Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

As Jesus' disciples were on the lake, the sea became very rough, and the winds began to blow. Then they saw a figure coming toward them and they thought it was a ghost and they cried out with fear. "But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer. It is I; do not be afraid.” (v:27) Now at this point of the story, we all know what Peter did.

Matthew 14: 28-30

And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

It is here that we know why Peter began to sink...because he took his eyes off Jesus. But what is truly amazing in this story, that I never saw before, Peter could have never begun to walk on the water unless he "absolutely surrendered" himself to Jesus. It was through Peter's surrender to Jesus that gave Peter the power to walk on the water.

That same power lives in us! It is the power of the "Holy Spirit" that God has given to us because we have come to faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.

John 14: 26

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

If we continue to keep our eyes on Jesus, and remain surrendered to Him, moment-by-moment, day-by-day...There is no end to the power that God can demonstrate through us. Let us not forget what the Apostle Paul said in the Book of Philippians: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". (Phil. 14: 13)

PERSONNAL COMMENT:

Imagine the power that lies within us...We have the full power of the Holy Spirit abiding in us if we would fully surrender all to Him and allow Him to work through us. May God give us all a "Heart of Surrender."