Eyes on the Prize

O you of little faith, why did you doubt? Matthew 14:31

D.L. MOODY
Someone has said: “There are three directions to look. If you want to be wretched, look within; if you wish to be distracted, look around; but if you would have peace, look up.” Peter looked away from Christ and he immediately began to sink. He had God’s eternal Word, which was a sure footing, and better than either marble, granite, or iron; but the moment he took his eyes off Christ, down he went into the water.

ERWIN LUTZER
So far as we know, throughout history, there have only been two people who have ever walked on water: the Lord Jesus Christ and Peter. As has been said, anybody who tells you that they have walked on water are the people who know where the rocks are. For a brief moment, Peter is participating in a miracle with Christ. As long as he was looking at the Lord Jesus Christ, as long as he was looking into the eyes of his Savior, he was walking above the waves. But as soon as he glanced at the wind, he thought, “I can’t believe what I’m doing! I’m going to drown!” Then he went under.
How long did it take for Peter to begin to sink when he took his eyes off of Jesus? A second? How long does it take for us to take our focus from Christ before we collapse and fall into sin? The answer is, “Not very long.”
Let us look at Christ by meditating on His promises.

PRAYER
Father, let me recall the promises of Christ, keeping my focus on Him rather than my circumstances.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
How does keeping our focus on Christ keep us from sinking into sin?

What is the importance of God’s word in helping us focus on Christ?