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| It arrives in the form of one simple word, but with such staggering implications |
He is about to attempt that which no other mortal has. The reason why it has not been done before is simple. It is impossible.
This is a life and death situation. He knows he is about to step onto a new stage, a realm that no one has experienced before.
What is he going to do? He looks out into the dark, frothing waters and feels the icy chill as the winds rise in their violence. The he looks within himself and realizes he does not have what it takes. He is not going to make it without something he can hold on to.
But those miraculous hands are too far away.
Being a Jew, he has been taught the scriptures since childhood. He knows about the historical parting of the Red Sea. He knows about Joshua, Elisha, Daniel and Ezekiel. The historical facts and accounts are embedded in his memory.
That was then. This is now.
Finally, in desperation, he cries out, "Master if it is you, then bid me to come!"
Then suddenly, above the roar of the wind and waves, he hears one authoritative command of a familiar voice,
"Come!"
No human being had ever done this and certainly not in such stormy and dark conditions as those recorded in Matthew 14. But Peter understood that if he could only receive a prophetic word over the situation from the Master, it would be enough for him. He would have something to hold on to as he stepped into the unknown.
He remembered how they had cast down their nets while fishing one day and the impossible had taken place. They had done so at His word. In his heart, he knew things happen when the Lord speaks. One word from God confirms the will of God. Therefore, here in this situation, he reaches out for the Master's response. It arrives in the form of one simple word, but with such staggering implications.
Come!
We are often like Peter in the boat, musing within ourselves, because we are about to take a major step of faith that will change our lives. What of our situation today? Can we launch into the unknown by ourselves?
This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare (1 Timothy 1:18)
The battles we are facing today require us first of all to take hold of the words that have already been spoken over our lives by the Lord. If we believe He is truly the Messiah, then it means we not only believe that He occupies two offices - High Priest and King - but also that all the power and authority of the prophetic ministry rests upon His shoulders. By prophetic words we can wage battle against anything that attempts to counteract the plan of God. This is the essence of prophetic warfare.
There are two things to understand here. The first is that prophecy is an expression of what is determined in the will of God. The second is that all of life's events and experiences are for the will of God to be manifested. "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." (Revelation 4:11). The foundation of all creation is the will of the Father. His divine purpose forms the grounds for existence and the reason for every being in existence. All things live because of His plan.
This is why, in the days of His flesh, Jesus stated to His disciples, “I have a kind of food you know nothing about... My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.” (John 4:32-34). He also stated that the things concerning Him had an end (Luke 22:37) which means there was already a plan that had been determined from the beginning concerning how His life and work on earth was going to be conducted and ended. The messages about the Messiah which had been spoken hundreds of years before His birth confirmed the predetermined will of the Father about each aspect of His earthly life. We call these the messianic prophecies.
The same process applies to everyone who is called by His Name. We have not been called to help create or build a plan for our lives. There is already a divine plan. The key is to unlock it and walk in it just as He did. It is light that makes everything manifest. Just as in the beginning, His light brought clarity and separated day from night, He desires that our calling and election be made sure. When we walk in His light, we will be able to understand who we are and where we belong in the divine scheme of things. This understanding is crucial beyond telling because it deals with the very core of why we were born in our generation.
The Spirit is now given to lead us into all truth. He testifies of Jesus and that testimony is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10). The will of God can be tested and then approved (Romans 12:2) and one way confirmation comes is through the prophetic word. There may be a time when we are in a dark situation and don't know which way to take. As we pay more attention to the prophetic word and walk by that light, the can see further and further until we arise and enter fully into the complete purpose of God.
And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (2 Peter 1:19)
Today, there are many in the boat. Some are cringing and whimpering at the bottom, wishing the storm will would simply blow over. Some have fought so hard for so long, they feel they have arrived at the end of themselves. But others have realized they have been living defensively for far too long. These are the ones already standing at the edge of their boat, their vision piercing through the darkness. And again, above the raging of the winds, beyond the fury of the waves, they have begun to hear an all-powerful voice.
It is not an echo of the imagination.
It is the kairos word, the decree of a mighty King.
Are you ready?
