In the Fourth Watch of the Night

Matthew 14:22–33

We all face troubles, but when God does something miraculous for us, just like every miracle that Jesus performed, when God moves on our behalf, there’s always a deeper lesson than the miracle itself. And there is a lesson in this miracle for us to learn. So, if you’ve got a storm, get your eyes off the waves, your attention away from the winds and the darkness of the fourth watch of the night and see the Lord Jesus Christ walking on the water.

I. You Must See Jesus:

a. (Verses 27-28) Peter was saying, “Lord, I’ve seen what You can do. I have seen that which is over my head is already under your feet.” Peter had a vision of Christ, Who is absolutely, totally victorious. If you’ve got a problem today, get a glimpse of Jesus. We all need, in the midst of our storm, to see Jesus. That storm was what was about to engulf them. But the very thing that was about to engulf them was what brought Jesus to them! He wants you to learn that whatever is about to be over your head is already under His feet. You have to see Jesus as the victor. You must see Jesus as the overcomer (John 16:33).

II. You Must Listen to Jesus:

a. (Verses 28-29) Peter didn’t jump out of the boat until he was ordered. Had he just jumped out of the boat, he would have immediately sunk. That’s called presumption. There’s a difference between faith and presumption. Presumption is going before you’re bidden, taking it in your own hands. Faith is getting a word from God and acting on it. Jesus said to Peter, “Come.” Now, had he not stepped out then, it would have been disobedience. You need to get a word from God.

III. You Must Obey Jesus:

a. (Verse 29) Faith is trusting and obeying the Lord. Faith is an action. Faith is getting out of the boat to go to Jesus. When you see Jesus and you listen to Him, He’s going to tell you what to do; He’s going to speak to you. He didn’t tell all the disciples to get out of the boat, only Peter. But He had a purpose and plan for all of them, and He has a plan for you too. And you must learn to obey the Lord Jesus.

IV. You Must Trust Jesus:

a. (Verses 29-30) When Peter takes his eyes off Jesus and onto his circumstances, he begins to sink. Satan wants you to do just that. He says, “If you step out, you’re going to sink just like Peter did!” Well, Peter did sink, but he didn’t drown (Psalm 37:23-24). When doubts come, that doesn’t mean that the whole thing has been a failure. And if sometimes we have sinking spells, our Lord knows our humanity. You won’t ever know what God can do for you, and through you, until you begin to live by faith.

V. You Must Worship Jesus:

a. So, first, you must see Jesus. See that He is above all. Then, you must listen to Jesus. What is He telling you in His Word? Then, you must obey Jesus. Obedience is better than sacrifice. You must trust Jesus with the outcome. And the final thing: you worship Jesus. Matthew 14:33 says, they, “worshipped Him.” That’s what it’s all about. Problems are God’s way to bring you to Him and without the storms, we would never truly worship Him in spirit and in truth the way He deserves to be worshipped.