Help, I’ve Fallen, and I Can’t Get Up!
There is a very famous commercial line, one that most have heard at one time or another, the line is, “Help, I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up!” Many of us have, most likely, used this as a joke; but, if you have walked any length of time as a Christian I am sure there have been times when you felt like this was the case.
Whenever I think of this statement, I am reminded of one of my most favorite Bible stories of all times.
And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. (26) And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. (27) But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. (28) And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. (29) And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. (30) But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. (31) And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Matthew 14:25-31
Jesus comes, walking on the water, and the amazing part is that Peter says, Lord, if it’s you, then call me and I can walk on the water, too. So, Peter steps out onto the water, and begins walking. That thought, in and of itself, we could spend hours examining; but, that is not why I am so attracted to this story. No, it is not the faith that Peter had to step onto the water, although that is noteworthy, why I love this story so much is because of what we see in the following verse:
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
Matthew 14:30
Put yourself, for a moment, in Peter’s shoes. You display an amazing amount of faith, and step out of the boat, and start walking on the water. Only moments later, you begin to get scared as the waves seem to be growing, and it distracts you, and you begin to sink.
Many of us can relate to this because we start walking in this world by faith. Soon the fear creeps in, the distractions of life pop up, and before we know it we have sunk back into the old habits, hurts, and hang-ups that the Lord had once given us victory over. If you would, we are sinking, just as Peter did in the previous passage, as we walk by faith.
But, now, the good news. If you have fallen and feel like you cannot get up. The story does not end here. There is a detail that is so significant that is left out of this story. We might, at first glance, miss it. But, being significant, I want you to see it.
Reading that verse again:
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
Matthew 14:30
Now, notice, what is missing in this story? How far Peter sank. I know that if I was walking on the water, the minute I felt the top of my foot got wet, I would be panicking. We have no idea how far Peter sank, nor does it matter, what matters it what we find in the next verse:
And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Matthew 14:31
Did you see it? What is of utmost importance to notice is that when Peter was sinking, he called out and immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand and caught Him.
This is a promise we should hold to. Jesus will catch us when we call out to Him as we begin sinking in our faith, too.
So, I would close with this for you all. In this walk we are in, as Christians, it is impossible for us to ever fall and never be able to get up. It is just a matter of recognizing Who it is that will help us get up. It is not a necklace around our neck that will alert someone about our distresses in life. Rather, it is the Giver of Life, Himself which indwells us. So, always remember when you fall or sink, restoration is as simple as calling out to the Giver of Life!
Love,
Pastor Brian.