Stilled By The Voice Of Jesus

Reflect on God’s Word

In Matthew 14:28–31 we read a brief but significant story about Peter doing something he probably had never imagined doing. He and Jesus’ other disciples found themselves on a boat in the middle of the night when a storm came up. As the waves battered them, they saw something they couldn’t believe: Jesus, walking toward them on the water! Peter said, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.”

Then Jesus spoke just one word to Peter: “Come.” Matthew tells us, “Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’” (Matthew 14:28–31).

All Jesus’ disciples remained on the boat; Peter was the only one to step onto the water. Perhaps if some of his friends had joined him, he wouldn’t have felt as afraid. Picture the scene. Do you see yourself on the boat—watching from the side—or on the water?

Have you ever been invited to do something new, something you never thought of doing? What thoughts went through your mind? Were you just excited, or did you start to hear a voice in your head telling you everything that could go wrong?

Did that voice say, People might not like you; you might not be any good at it; you might get lost, or hurt, or . . .?

Now imagine you are Peter, being invited by Jesus to do something crazy, something he never thought he’d ever do. Feel the boat rocking in the pitch-black storm and the spray of water hitting your face. Watch as Jesus comes toward you, walking on the water. Suddenly you can’t wait. What compels you to move toward him?

Is it that you believe that Jesus can enable you to walk on water? Did you forget to think about the wind? Feel it now coming at you—wild, harsh, whipping you off your feet—an unexpected threat. You were confident you wouldn’t sink, but now you wonder if you’ll be blown away.

Then Jesus grabs you, and you feel yourself steady. You realize that Jesus is powerful enough to save you from both the expected and the unexpected threats.

Jesus may not be calling you to walk on water, but he is certainly calling you to fix your eyes on him. As your faith wavers, as fear fills your heart, as your mind fills with doubts, fix your eyes on Jesus. When you’re focused on Jesus, everything that’s not essential slips away. And all that’s left is all that really matters: Jesus.

Release the Lies

Maybe you’ve been listening to lies for a long time. They can sound like the voice of a parent telling you you’ll never amount to anything. They can sound like a friend telling you that the behaviors you engaged in before you knew Jesus are still okay. Maybe they sound like your past, bringing up stuff already confessed. Listening only to the voice of Jesus, keeping your eyes only on him, will take some time. So sit up a little straighter now, and take a few deep breaths. Calm your mind and your heart.

Ask God to help change your first impulses. It’s like muscle memory. When you’ve been used to hearing something for so long, your automatic response kicks in. Forging new pathways in your brain and training your heart to hear truth will give you the victory that you want over the lies you have believed.

Ask God to help you always listen to Jesus first. As you take another deep breath, feel your body rooting downward, your feet steady beneath you, your legs strong. In this secure stance, feel your head lifting toward the sky and your shoulders dropping. You stand firm here because your focus is on Jesus, who makes you stand firm. Breathe and feel that security in your body.

Close your eyes and listen for the voice of Jesus. His will be the gentle, small voice, the voice of love. He will never berate or condemn. He will never bring up the past, and he will always give you hope for your future.

If doubts start to fill your mind today, remind yourself to listen only to the voice of Jesus.

Heavenly Father, I’ve listened to lies for so long. Every day, they cause my mind to falter. My heart fails. My will grows weak. Help me to listen only to you, Lord, and to find in you everything I need to walk by faith and to shut down the lies. Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to teach me how to listen only to his voice. Thank you for calling me to follow you. In his name I pray, amen.

JOURNAL PROMPT: What truth is Jesus saying to you in the midst of your cares? One word? Two words? A question or challenge? What does his voice sound like to you?