Faithful Focus
- Henley Samuel
- Oct 29
- 5 min read
October 29, 2025
Today, let's explore how keeping our eyes on Jesus allows us to overcome life's challenges. When we maintain unwavering focus on Christ rather than our circumstances, we can accomplish what seems impossible and experience His immediate rescue when we falter.
The Power of Walking on Water
In Matthew 14, we witness a remarkable demonstration of faith when Peter steps out of the boat to walk on water toward Jesus.
"He said, 'Come.' So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, 'Lord, save me!' Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?'" - Matthew 14:29-31
This powerful moment reveals how fear enters when doubt replaces trust. Peter was able to walk on water as long as his focus remained on Jesus. The moment he became distracted by the wind and waves around him, fear crept in and he began to sink.
The Immediate Rescue
When Peter realized he was sinking, he didn't offer an elaborate prayer. He simply cried out, "Lord, save me!" Sometimes our most powerful prayers are the simplest ones. In that moment of crisis, Peter reached out to the only One who could help.
Jesus's response was immediate and personal. The scripture tells us that
"Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him." - Matthew 14:31
This is who Jesus is for us today. He doesn't hesitate or delay when we call on Him in faith. He is always ready to rescue, redeem, heal, uplift, comfort, protect, guide, enlighten, and carry us.
The Question of Doubt
After rescuing Peter, Jesus asked a profound question:
"O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" - Matthew 14:31
This question resonates with many of us today. Perhaps a troubling medical report has caused you to doubt. Maybe family members have questioned your faith. Whatever the source, doubt interrupts the manifestation of God's promises in our lives.
The same doubt that created chaos in the Garden of Eden continues to challenge our faith today. When doubt arises against God's Word, we must declare and decree that what the Lord has said is always "yes and amen." Even when experiencing pain, we can declare our healing, rebuke the pain, and trust God for immediate restoration.
Walking on Water Again
What happens next in the story is remarkable but often overlooked:
"And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased." - Matthew 14:32
This verse reveals something powerful. After Jesus rescued Peter from the water, they both had to walk back to the boat together. The wind hadn't stopped yet! Peter, who had failed to walk on water moments before because of fear, now walked on the same water with Jesus back to the boat.
What changed? Not the circumstances, but Peter's confidence. With Jesus physically beside him, Peter could walk through the same storm that had terrified him earlier. He became "windproof" and "waterproof" because he knew without doubt that Jesus was with him.
The Knowledge That Makes the Difference
The transcript emphasizes that what enabled Peter to walk on water the second time was the knowledge that Jesus was with him. This knowledge makes all the difference in how we face life's challenges:
The knowledge of knowing that Jesus is with you
The knowledge of knowing that God lives in you
The knowledge of knowing that you are the Temple of the living God
The knowledge of knowing that you have the power of God
The knowledge of knowing that you've been reconciled by God
The knowledge of knowing that you've been sealed by the Holy Spirit
When you truly understand that you are the Temple of the living God, you can boldly declare that sickness, disease, and pain cannot exist in your body. You are completely healed by His stripes from 2,000 years ago, and the manifestation of that healing must happen in your life.
Becoming Windproof
The wind only ceased after Peter and Jesus got into the boat together. This teaches us that God doesn't always immediately remove the challenges around us. Sometimes, He gives us the ability to walk through them with confidence because we know He is with us.
In the same waters where Peter had begun to sink, he now walked confidently with Jesus. The difference was not in the circumstances but in Peter's awareness of Christ's presence. The second time, Peter wasn't distracted by the wind because he had become "windproof" through his connection with Jesus.
Conclusion
You are called to walk on water, to overcome challenges that seem impossible. You are not alone in this journey. The Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is with you and for you. Any challenge that comes against you will not prosper.
The knowledge of God's presence enables you to be fearproof, windproof, and waterproof in the face of life's storms. When doubt tries to creep in, remember Peter's simple prayer: "Lord, save me!" Jesus is always ready to immediately reach out His hand. And with Him beside you, you can walk through the very storms that once threatened to overwhelm you.
Reflect on This
What circumstances in your life have distracted you from focusing on Jesus?
How might your confidence grow if you approached your challenges with the knowledge that Jesus is right beside you?
Prayer
Father, I thank You for Your presence in my life. I declare that I am the Temple of the living God, and any sickness, fear, or doubt cannot exist where You dwell. When I begin to sink beneath the waves of life's challenges, help me call out to You with simple faith. I receive Your immediate rescue and the confidence to walk through storms with You by my side. I am windproof and waterproof because You are with me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Key Takeaways
Faith enables us to walk above our circumstances when our focus remains on Jesus.
When fear and doubt cause us to sink, a simple cry for help brings Jesus's immediate response.
The knowledge that Jesus is with us transforms how we face the same challenges that once overwhelmed us.
We can become "windproof" when we walk with Jesus through our storms.
God doesn't always calm the storm immediately, but He gives us the ability to walk through it with confidence.
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To dive deeper into this powerful message, watch the full sermon on our YouTube video below.
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