God’s word requires your sustained attention to do its work in your life. Every word God gives you has something to accomplish in your life. When Jesus spoke the word “come” to Peter, it was to enable him walk on water. Peter had requested the privilege of walking on water to Jesus, who had just modelled it to them (Matt 14:28-30). God’s intention was for Peter to walk as far as to Jesus on water. However, Peter failed to reach that goal, though he had made significant progress towards it.
Whenever we truly believe God’s word for us, His power is activated on our behalf. It was God’s power that sustained Peter as he walked on water. He was able to perform that feat because he believed the word of God which Jesus had spoken to him. The proof that you believe the word of God is that you act on it, irrespective of whatever contradicts it.
However, like Peter, we are in danger of being distracted from God’s word if we do not maintain a steadfast focus on it: “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (Heb 2:1). To attend steadfastly to what we have heard from God is not optional, if we want to experience His power. Distraction is a deadly weapon in the hands of Satan. Therefore, he spares no effort in deploying it to the fullest. Satan uses distraction to divert attention from God, so as to have an opportunity to steal, kill and destroy (Jn 10:10).
True to the devil’s subtle and subversive nature, his approach to causing distraction is never obvious. “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light” (2Cor 11:14). He usually couches his subversive efforts in terms that ostensibly convey care. Accordingly, he must have suggested that Peter consider his safety in the middle of such a raging storm, and not be so gullible as to think he could make it all the way to Jesus— as though he cared about Peter’s well-being. He uses the same trick today. Never forget that as long as your actions are based on God’s word, clearly revealed to you by the Holy Spirit, you are in safe hands. The Bible says, “The words of the Lord are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times” (Ps 12:6). Hence, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven” (Ps 119:89). Whenever we focus on God, we demonstrate that we trust in Him (Isa 26:3), and the result is that He keeps us in perfect peace. Shalom.
