As I write this devotion, I am reminded of the words of my Sunday School teacher at the 19th Street Baptist Church. This teacher has gone home to glory, but he made an everlasting impression upon my life. He would often say, “Step out into deep water. You will find your ability to grow when you trust God.” That was another way of him saying, “Get out of the boat, where we are safe and secure; get into deep water where we have to depend upon God.”  I will add to that and say, “Stay away from shallow water. Allow God to give you the faith and strength to step out into the deep waters of life. “Shallow water, as well as a boat, can become a place of comfort, and we will not be able to grow. We must get out of the boat and experience God’s power at work. We must move beyond the safe shores and trust God. Some believers stay in shallow water. If that is the case for you, and you are ready to make that change, ask God to help you take that step into deep water. Ask Him to allow you to experience another dimension of His power at work. When you get out of the boat, you will step into deep water. But it requires strong faith.

In Matthew 14:29, we find these words:

“‘Yes, come,’ Jesus said.  So, Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.”

The disciples were in trouble because they were in a boat far away from land.  Strong winds had risen, they were fighting heavy waves, and they were afraid. Jesus came towards them walking on the water, but when they saw Him, they were terrified, thinking it to be a ghost of Jesus. Jesus told them that it was He and told Peter to come to Him. Peter got out of the boat and started to walk on the water, however he began to sink. The Lord reached out and grabbed him, asking Peter why he doubted. Then they both got back in the boat, the wind stopped, and the disciples worshipped the Lord. Do not doubt the Lord’s power! When the Lord tells you to get out of the boat, get out of the boat!