But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
On the stormy sea Peter walked safely while looking to Jesus, but when he turned to the boisterous wind and rolling waves he grew afraid, his faith gave way, and he began to sink. In his peril he remembered Jesus was near and able to rescue, and turned his eyes and voice to Him pleading to be saved from perishing. Jesus at once stretched out His hand, grasped Peter's outstretched hands, and lifted him up, for no one who cries to Him in sore need is ever passed by. The change was in Peter, not in Jesus or the waters, for keeping the eye fixed on Jesus keeps safe while looking at danger, self, and turmoil brings sinking. So tempted and unsaved souls in helplessness are to look by faith to Jesus and cry for rescue, trusting that He watches over the distressed, pities them, and saves to the uttermost.
Storm Night Setting
Matthew 14:30 belongs to a night of danger when the disciples were far from shore on a dark and tempestuous sea in obedience to Christ's command, bending to their oars for hours against contrary winds and a furious storm. Their vessels would not obey their will and they were driven hither and thither, their efforts could not bring them to safety, and exhausted and terrified they laid down their oars in despair, bewildered by the uselessness of their efforts and expecting to perish while tempest and billows talked with death. Peter's venture out to meet Jesus upon the water and his peril in beginning to sink belong to that same storm on the Sea of Galilee, when the limits of human effort were reached.
The episode follows the twilight feeding of the multitude on the grassy plain, when thousands were fed from five barley loaves and two small fishes as God fed Israel with manna in the desert, an account also given in Mark 6:45-52 and John 6:14-21. The miracle of the loaves strengthened conviction that the long-looked-for Deliverer was among the people and raised hopes that He would make Judea an earthly paradise, a land flowing with milk and honey, satisfying every desire. Those hopes looked for breaking the power of the Romans, delivering Judah and Jerusalem, healing soldiers wounded in battle, supplying whole armies with food, conquering the nations, and giving Israel long-sought dominion.
At the point of greatest peril and greatest need in the fourth watch, when despair was replacing hope and they felt utterly deserted, Jesus, whom they had left on the other side, was close by. With watchful tender sympathy and pitying love, tender as a mother and infinite in love, He had watched them all through the fearful storm and had not forgotten them, and He came walking calmly upon the boisterous white-capped waves and white-capped billows to reach the tempest-tossed boat. That trial of faith was necessary, and in their danger when they humbly cried to Jesus for help and felt unable to save themselves, He watched over them and came to their rescue. After many hours rowing fruitlessly against adverse winds, His coming upon the water aroused fear until He spoke reassuring words.
Seeing Jesus on the water at first increased terror, for they interpreted it as a sure precursor of immediate death and cried out in great fear at seeing the wind boisterous. Instead of heralding death He came as the messenger of life, and His voice heard above the roar of the elements saying it was He and they should not be afraid quickly changed the horror of despair to the joy of faith and hope in the presence of the beloved Master. With Christ with them all anxiety and dread of death were gone, fright turned to restored confidence when He was known, and He calmed the tempest with infinite power, turned sorrow into joy, stilled the storm, and brought the boat to land. He can be trusted in the storm as well as the sunshine as powerful Redeemer and gracious compassionate Saviour, showing that He does not forget those in distress, watches over them, responds compassionately when sought, and when their own efforts cannot save them He is their only hope.
The walking upon the heaving billows and by a word silencing their angry roaring stands with healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf and speech to the dumb, feeding the hungry, comforting the sorrowful, casting out devils that in departing acknowledged Him to be the Son of God, breaking the slumbers of the dead, and holding thousands entranced by words of wisdom. That display is evidence of mighty works and Messiahship and power to control nature over the elements and the sea. Yet even this could not reach hearts blinded by prejudice and hatred that stubbornly rejected the light. In another peril at sea the disciples remembered that Jesus had once walked on the water to rescue them from death and recognized that He was their only hope.
Why Peter Sank
As long as his gaze rested on Christ he moved safely over the stormy water, but when he saw the boisterous wind and turned from Jesus to the violent, rolling, beating waves and his own danger, fear seized him, faith gave way, and he began to sink. The failure was not in Jesus or in the waters but in Peter himself, for apart from Christ's power he would have perished; had he not looked at the waves there would have been no peril, and had he looked confidingly to Jesus he would have been as safe walking on the waves as on solid land. His peril came through pride and unbelief and self-confidence, by withdrawing his eyes from Jesus to fix them upon himself and to admire himself amid the troubled, tumultuous waves. That sinking exposed his weakness in order to teach that safety amid temptation depends on constant reliance on Christ and distrust of one's own strength.
The moment held faith and unbelief mingled, for he had trusted enough to step from the boat, yet fear overcame him when he saw the danger, and recognizing that weakness makes clear the need for dependence. Sinking comes from taking the eye of faith off Jesus to look at the boisterous billows, at self and unworthiness, and at surrounding turmoil, confusion and perplexity, which leaves a person weak and desponding when strength and hope are possible. In the same way, looking at appearances rather than trusting God's promises weakens faith, while fear grows as attention turns to threatening waves. The lesson is to look away from danger and look up in faith, confidence and hope, trusting God to sustain and bless and walking by faith rather than fixing attention on the tumult around.
Cry Brings Immediate Rescue
As the white-capped waters threatened him and he began to sink, Peter remembered that Jesus was near and able to rescue him, and in terror at his recognized danger he turned his eyes and voice to Jesus and cried to the Lord to save him from perishing. His cry of Lord, save me, I perish was uttered when he took his eyes off Christ and grew afraid at the strong wind and violent rolling waves, and it shows faith and unbelief mingled, for he had trusted enough to step from the boat yet fear overcame him when he saw the danger. That imploring cry of distress reached ears infinite in compassion, and Jesus was at once there to support one who grasps His promises by living faith.
The cry expresses the weakness and helplessness with which people should come to Christ, with arms thrown up to Jesus in the living hand of faith reaching out to grasp Him as a personal Saviour. He alone can take away sin, give wisdom, and provide help, rather than ultimate help being sought in other people. No one who lifts hands to Jesus with that cry is ever passed by, for He hears even the faintest cry and such an appeal in sore need is never in vain. Jesus immediately stretched out His hand, laid hold of Peter's outstretched hands, took hold of him, grasped him, lifted him up, and saved him fully. Whenever anyone cries to Christ for help in that way, Christ reaches out to save, and getting the eyes off Jesus brings sinking while crying to Jesus brings immediate rescue because He is the sufficiency and helper.
The rescue shows that Jesus does not turn away from hands reaching to Him for mercy but responds compassionately when sought, and with infinite compassion saves to the uttermost the poor, trembling, imperiled soul. He keeps His eye upon the afflicted, is touched with their infirmities, loves and pities them, and is with them strengthening and supporting them by His all-powerful arm. He watches over those in distress in their danger when they humbly cry for help and comes to their rescue, answering the appeal and lifting them up. That outstretched hand rescuing Peter from the waves when they were about to sweep over him also illustrates Christ reaching out to save him when sin brought him near spiritual ruin and when he was overwhelmed by the deeper waters of trial.
Faith Beholding Christ
Peter could walk upon the water only while keeping his eyes fixed steadily upon Jesus, and when he stopped keeping them fixed and looked away he could not walk but began to sink. In the same way a sinner cannot be saved without continually beholding the uplifted Saviour, keeping Him in view and making it his life business to accept by faith the merits of Christ it is his privilege to claim.
Believers need not faint or be discouraged when like Peter they look at darkness and trials around them. The trouble is getting the eye off Jesus and looking at trials, looking down at the rolling beating billows and seeing little hope, until conformed to them and forgetting the Helper. Instead they are to look straight at Jesus in living faith and trust Him as Helper in every trial. By that beholding unbelief is exchanged for faith and His divine image is reflected.
Faith must be exercised in conflict with doubt in seasons of discouragement and distress, in fancied failures and defeats, and in magnified sufferings and self-denials. The hands must not slip off the promises of God, nor must one settle under the cloud talking failure and discouragement that strengthens unbelief. Had Peter looked confidingly to Jesus he would have been as safe walking upon the waves as upon solid land, for his only hope in peril and anguish was in his Saviour. Christ's reproof for lack of faith shows all need to take Christ at His word and believe He will do exactly as He has promised. All are to look to God and lay hold of His promises day by day by living faith, since faith cannot be originated by man but is the gift of God and the living fire of His own kindling for use in prayer, and God will then hold and protect and keep from falling.
Safety is in keeping the eye fixed on Jesus, meditating on His mercy, goodness and excellent character as Surety and Substitute, Jesus the righteous spotless Lamb of God. Sinking comes from taking the eye of faith off Jesus to look at the boisterous billows, at self and unworthiness, and at surrounding turmoil, confusion and perplexity, which leaves a person weak and desponding when strength and hope are possible. Safety is to hang the helpless care-troubled soul upon Him as the Burden-bearer, and to cry to Him for help many times a day in full and entire trust that the work and cause are His and He will not suffer truth to be reproached. Reaching for His help in prayer in time of weakness and distress gives courage, strength and wisdom, because true strength comes from God rather than human support. When clouds envelope believers and they begin to sink they must not be discouraged but trust in God and call to mind His lovingkindness and believe He will not leave them to sink, for His watchful eye is over them and His ear ever open to their cry, and His own strong arm will reach down and lift their head above the cloud and reveal His own lovely face and fill them with earnest desire for His image to be reflected in them.
It is safe to let go of earthly supports and take Christ's hand, for when Peter saw the storm and became afraid and began to sink, Christ lifted him up and saved him. In the tempest the weak, suffering and dying must make Jesus their only refuge, simply cling to His cross, claim pardon through the merits of His blood, and place the hand in the hand of Christ. Even when the hold on Jesus feels feeble, Jesus has a firm hold of the soul He died to save. Doubts and fears grow by looking upon them and talking them, so they are not to be cherished but Christ is to be held fast, reaching up a hand to grasp the hand of Christ as the sinking disciple did on the stormy sea. That grasp, joined to doing work with fidelity, is preparation for eternity, because the summons may come without a moment's warning and the next step may be in eternity, to stand before the great white throne and answer for things done in the body with souls present who were warned and entreated to behold Christ.
Getting the eyes off Jesus and looking at difficulties brings sinking and discouragement, as when Peter looked at the waves rolling around him and became afraid and began to sink. Crying to Jesus brings immediate rescue, as when he cried to be saved from perishing the hand of Christ at once laid hold of him to save him. Jesus is the sufficiency and helper who saves to the uttermost and gives complete and entire control over besetting evils so the tempted one can be an overcomer and more than conqueror instead of dropping down into discouragement. Jesus did not leave doubting sinking Peter to perish but immediately answered his lifted hand of appeal and saved him fully, and He never leaves nor forsakes one penitent soul who looks to Him in faith. Even one who is feeble and conscious of great wrong will likewise be saved when asking Him in faith, and believing fully in the merits of Jesus Christ honors God.
Help for Tempted Souls
The cry, Lord, save me, gives the very words for one who knows himself unsaved to plead in earnest for his own soul. It is a desperate effort that takes the mind off self and off every mortal trouble to ask to be saved from perishing. It is the sinner's desperate appeal when light reveals need and helplessness, applied to seeking forgiveness and salvation with trust that Jesus hears and saves. As hope dawns and he trusts Christ, the anguished cry becomes a prayer of faith in the One able to save completely.
When temptation presses and threatens to overcome, the tempted one should look by faith to Jesus and pray, Lord, save me or I perish. Looking to Him in prayer brings strength and angelic help to lead into safe paths. The first decided resistance brings angels to the side to give strength, and when the petition is sincerely offered an angel lifts up a standard against the enemy so the person is not overcome. One stronger than the enemy then shields from assault, giving heavenly protection and strength against temptation.
It was Peter's privilege to seek Christ's help just as earnestly when warned that he would deny Him. Had he prayed with that same earnestness to be saved from denying Christ whom he loved and from himself, Christ would have saved him from himself. Christ would have prayed to His heavenly Father for him and made him watchful over temper, vigilant when assailed, and steadfast in loyalty while others denied their Lord. Peter needed that same humble appeal to distrust his own strength and depend on Christ to keep him from the self-confidence, sin and temptation that led to denial, asking to be saved from his own weakness in order to remain loyal.
Christ as the Elder Brother holding out His helping hand to sinking Peter is the pattern for helping tempted ones. They must swim against the stream with the weight of waves driving them back, when doing God's service is not easy, the world is against them, the way seems hedged up, and Satan gets hold of the mind. Erring, despairing souls overwhelmed by mistakes and shame, who look upon their folly almost to desperation and struggle against sin and despair, are not to be neglected, broken off, or left to perish. Brethren are not to show the human side and become hindrances and stumbling blocks, but are to hold out a sympathizing hand with hopeful words and hopeful advice that restore confidence, establish faith and confidence, awaken love, and point to Christ's tender care and power to hold them up.
The erring one should feel the strong clasp of that hand and hear, Let us pray. Prayer unites hearts with one another and with God, brings Jesus to the side, and brings blessing and healing of the soul by the great Physician. It gives new strength and fresh grace to the fainting, perplexed soul to overcome the world, the flesh and the devil, turns aside Satan's attacks, and gives a rich experience of the Holy Spirit to both helper and helped that is registered in the heavenly books.
The compassionate Saviour keeps His eye upon the afflicted, is touched with the feelings of their infirmities, loves and pities them as no human can, and is with them strengthening and supporting them by His all-powerful arm. He will save His servant who has labored for souls, bring him out from affliction to health in answer to prayer, make him triumph in His name, and show him the salvation of God. When clouds envelop believers and they begin to sink they must not be discouraged but trust in God, call to mind His lovingkindness, and believe He will not leave them to sink, for His watchful eye is over them, His ear is ever open to their cry, and His strong arm will lift their head above the cloud. Therefore sufferers should be of good courage and wait patiently a little longer.
Help came when hearts were humbled, ambition subdued, and prayer for help was offered, for Jesus saw the danger of those who felt unable to save themselves and watched over them. Christ came to the terrified disciples on the water as a messenger of life, and His presence changed despair into faith and hope. Those with Him can trust His protection and need not fear death.
On the stormy sea Peter walked safely while looking to Jesus, but when he turned to the boisterous wind and rolling waves he grew afraid, his faith gave way, and he began to sink. In his peril he remembered Jesus was near and able to rescue, and turned his eyes and voice to Him pleading to be saved from perishing. Jesus at once stretched out His hand, grasped Peter's outstretched hands, and lifted him up, for no one who cries to Him in sore need is ever passed by. The change was in Peter, not in Jesus or the waters, for keeping the eye fixed on Jesus keeps safe while looking at danger, self, and turmoil brings sinking. So tempted and unsaved souls in helplessness are to look by faith to Jesus and cry for rescue, trusting that He watches over the distressed, pities them, and saves to the uttermost.
Storm Night Setting
Matthew 14:30 belongs to a night of danger when the disciples were far from shore on a dark and tempestuous sea in obedience to Christ's command, bending to their oars for hours against contrary winds and a furious storm. Their vessels would not obey their will and they were driven hither and thither, their efforts could not bring them to safety, and exhausted and terrified they laid down their oars in despair, bewildered by the uselessness of their efforts and expecting to perish while tempest and billows talked with death. Peter's venture out to meet Jesus upon the water and his peril in beginning to sink belong to that same storm on the Sea of Galilee, when the limits of human effort were reached.
The episode follows the twilight feeding of the multitude on the grassy plain, when thousands were fed from five barley loaves and two small fishes as God fed Israel with manna in the desert, an account also given in Mark 6:45-52 and John 6:14-21. The miracle of the loaves strengthened conviction that the long-looked-for Deliverer was among the people and raised hopes that He would make Judea an earthly paradise, a land flowing with milk and honey, satisfying every desire. Those hopes looked for breaking the power of the Romans, delivering Judah and Jerusalem, healing soldiers wounded in battle, supplying whole armies with food, conquering the nations, and giving Israel long-sought dominion.
At the point of greatest peril and greatest need in the fourth watch, when despair was replacing hope and they felt utterly deserted, Jesus, whom they had left on the other side, was close by. With watchful tender sympathy and pitying love, tender as a mother and infinite in love, He had watched them all through the fearful storm and had not forgotten them, and He came walking calmly upon the boisterous white-capped waves and white-capped billows to reach the tempest-tossed boat. That trial of faith was necessary, and in their danger when they humbly cried to Jesus for help and felt unable to save themselves, He watched over them and came to their rescue. After many hours rowing fruitlessly against adverse winds, His coming upon the water aroused fear until He spoke reassuring words.
Seeing Jesus on the water at first increased terror, for they interpreted it as a sure precursor of immediate death and cried out in great fear at seeing the wind boisterous. Instead of heralding death He came as the messenger of life, and His voice heard above the roar of the elements saying it was He and they should not be afraid quickly changed the horror of despair to the joy of faith and hope in the presence of the beloved Master. With Christ with them all anxiety and dread of death were gone, fright turned to restored confidence when He was known, and He calmed the tempest with infinite power, turned sorrow into joy, stilled the storm, and brought the boat to land. He can be trusted in the storm as well as the sunshine as powerful Redeemer and gracious compassionate Saviour, showing that He does not forget those in distress, watches over them, responds compassionately when sought, and when their own efforts cannot save them He is their only hope.
The walking upon the heaving billows and by a word silencing their angry roaring stands with healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf and speech to the dumb, feeding the hungry, comforting the sorrowful, casting out devils that in departing acknowledged Him to be the Son of God, breaking the slumbers of the dead, and holding thousands entranced by words of wisdom. That display is evidence of mighty works and Messiahship and power to control nature over the elements and the sea. Yet even this could not reach hearts blinded by prejudice and hatred that stubbornly rejected the light. In another peril at sea the disciples remembered that Jesus had once walked on the water to rescue them from death and recognized that He was their only hope.
Why Peter Sank
As long as his gaze rested on Christ he moved safely over the stormy water, but when he saw the boisterous wind and turned from Jesus to the violent, rolling, beating waves and his own danger, fear seized him, faith gave way, and he began to sink. The failure was not in Jesus or in the waters but in Peter himself, for apart from Christ's power he would have perished; had he not looked at the waves there would have been no peril, and had he looked confidingly to Jesus he would have been as safe walking on the waves as on solid land. His peril came through pride and unbelief and self-confidence, by withdrawing his eyes from Jesus to fix them upon himself and to admire himself amid the troubled, tumultuous waves. That sinking exposed his weakness in order to teach that safety amid temptation depends on constant reliance on Christ and distrust of one's own strength.
The moment held faith and unbelief mingled, for he had trusted enough to step from the boat, yet fear overcame him when he saw the danger, and recognizing that weakness makes clear the need for dependence. Sinking comes from taking the eye of faith off Jesus to look at the boisterous billows, at self and unworthiness, and at surrounding turmoil, confusion and perplexity, which leaves a person weak and desponding when strength and hope are possible. In the same way, looking at appearances rather than trusting God's promises weakens faith, while fear grows as attention turns to threatening waves. The lesson is to look away from danger and look up in faith, confidence and hope, trusting God to sustain and bless and walking by faith rather than fixing attention on the tumult around.
Cry Brings Immediate Rescue
As the white-capped waters threatened him and he began to sink, Peter remembered that Jesus was near and able to rescue him, and in terror at his recognized danger he turned his eyes and voice to Jesus and cried to the Lord to save him from perishing. His cry of Lord, save me, I perish was uttered when he took his eyes off Christ and grew afraid at the strong wind and violent rolling waves, and it shows faith and unbelief mingled, for he had trusted enough to step from the boat yet fear overcame him when he saw the danger. That imploring cry of distress reached ears infinite in compassion, and Jesus was at once there to support one who grasps His promises by living faith.
The cry expresses the weakness and helplessness with which people should come to Christ, with arms thrown up to Jesus in the living hand of faith reaching out to grasp Him as a personal Saviour. He alone can take away sin, give wisdom, and provide help, rather than ultimate help being sought in other people. No one who lifts hands to Jesus with that cry is ever passed by, for He hears even the faintest cry and such an appeal in sore need is never in vain. Jesus immediately stretched out His hand, laid hold of Peter's outstretched hands, took hold of him, grasped him, lifted him up, and saved him fully. Whenever anyone cries to Christ for help in that way, Christ reaches out to save, and getting the eyes off Jesus brings sinking while crying to Jesus brings immediate rescue because He is the sufficiency and helper.
The rescue shows that Jesus does not turn away from hands reaching to Him for mercy but responds compassionately when sought, and with infinite compassion saves to the uttermost the poor, trembling, imperiled soul. He keeps His eye upon the afflicted, is touched with their infirmities, loves and pities them, and is with them strengthening and supporting them by His all-powerful arm. He watches over those in distress in their danger when they humbly cry for help and comes to their rescue, answering the appeal and lifting them up. That outstretched hand rescuing Peter from the waves when they were about to sweep over him also illustrates Christ reaching out to save him when sin brought him near spiritual ruin and when he was overwhelmed by the deeper waters of trial.
Faith Beholding Christ
Peter could walk upon the water only while keeping his eyes fixed steadily upon Jesus, and when he stopped keeping them fixed and looked away he could not walk but began to sink. In the same way a sinner cannot be saved without continually beholding the uplifted Saviour, keeping Him in view and making it his life business to accept by faith the merits of Christ it is his privilege to claim.
Believers need not faint or be discouraged when like Peter they look at darkness and trials around them. The trouble is getting the eye off Jesus and looking at trials, looking down at the rolling beating billows and seeing little hope, until conformed to them and forgetting the Helper. Instead they are to look straight at Jesus in living faith and trust Him as Helper in every trial. By that beholding unbelief is exchanged for faith and His divine image is reflected.
Faith must be exercised in conflict with doubt in seasons of discouragement and distress, in fancied failures and defeats, and in magnified sufferings and self-denials. The hands must not slip off the promises of God, nor must one settle under the cloud talking failure and discouragement that strengthens unbelief. Had Peter looked confidingly to Jesus he would have been as safe walking upon the waves as upon solid land, for his only hope in peril and anguish was in his Saviour. Christ's reproof for lack of faith shows all need to take Christ at His word and believe He will do exactly as He has promised. All are to look to God and lay hold of His promises day by day by living faith, since faith cannot be originated by man but is the gift of God and the living fire of His own kindling for use in prayer, and God will then hold and protect and keep from falling.
Safety is in keeping the eye fixed on Jesus, meditating on His mercy, goodness and excellent character as Surety and Substitute, Jesus the righteous spotless Lamb of God. Sinking comes from taking the eye of faith off Jesus to look at the boisterous billows, at self and unworthiness, and at surrounding turmoil, confusion and perplexity, which leaves a person weak and desponding when strength and hope are possible. Safety is to hang the helpless care-troubled soul upon Him as the Burden-bearer, and to cry to Him for help many times a day in full and entire trust that the work and cause are His and He will not suffer truth to be reproached. Reaching for His help in prayer in time of weakness and distress gives courage, strength and wisdom, because true strength comes from God rather than human support. When clouds envelope believers and they begin to sink they must not be discouraged but trust in God and call to mind His lovingkindness and believe He will not leave them to sink, for His watchful eye is over them and His ear ever open to their cry, and His own strong arm will reach down and lift their head above the cloud and reveal His own lovely face and fill them with earnest desire for His image to be reflected in them.
It is safe to let go of earthly supports and take Christ's hand, for when Peter saw the storm and became afraid and began to sink, Christ lifted him up and saved him. In the tempest the weak, suffering and dying must make Jesus their only refuge, simply cling to His cross, claim pardon through the merits of His blood, and place the hand in the hand of Christ. Even when the hold on Jesus feels feeble, Jesus has a firm hold of the soul He died to save. Doubts and fears grow by looking upon them and talking them, so they are not to be cherished but Christ is to be held fast, reaching up a hand to grasp the hand of Christ as the sinking disciple did on the stormy sea. That grasp, joined to doing work with fidelity, is preparation for eternity, because the summons may come without a moment's warning and the next step may be in eternity, to stand before the great white throne and answer for things done in the body with souls present who were warned and entreated to behold Christ.
Getting the eyes off Jesus and looking at difficulties brings sinking and discouragement, as when Peter looked at the waves rolling around him and became afraid and began to sink. Crying to Jesus brings immediate rescue, as when he cried to be saved from perishing the hand of Christ at once laid hold of him to save him. Jesus is the sufficiency and helper who saves to the uttermost and gives complete and entire control over besetting evils so the tempted one can be an overcomer and more than conqueror instead of dropping down into discouragement. Jesus did not leave doubting sinking Peter to perish but immediately answered his lifted hand of appeal and saved him fully, and He never leaves nor forsakes one penitent soul who looks to Him in faith. Even one who is feeble and conscious of great wrong will likewise be saved when asking Him in faith, and believing fully in the merits of Jesus Christ honors God.
Help for Tempted Souls
The cry, Lord, save me, gives the very words for one who knows himself unsaved to plead in earnest for his own soul. It is a desperate effort that takes the mind off self and off every mortal trouble to ask to be saved from perishing. It is the sinner's desperate appeal when light reveals need and helplessness, applied to seeking forgiveness and salvation with trust that Jesus hears and saves. As hope dawns and he trusts Christ, the anguished cry becomes a prayer of faith in the One able to save completely.
When temptation presses and threatens to overcome, the tempted one should look by faith to Jesus and pray, Lord, save me or I perish. Looking to Him in prayer brings strength and angelic help to lead into safe paths. The first decided resistance brings angels to the side to give strength, and when the petition is sincerely offered an angel lifts up a standard against the enemy so the person is not overcome. One stronger than the enemy then shields from assault, giving heavenly protection and strength against temptation.
It was Peter's privilege to seek Christ's help just as earnestly when warned that he would deny Him. Had he prayed with that same earnestness to be saved from denying Christ whom he loved and from himself, Christ would have saved him from himself. Christ would have prayed to His heavenly Father for him and made him watchful over temper, vigilant when assailed, and steadfast in loyalty while others denied their Lord. Peter needed that same humble appeal to distrust his own strength and depend on Christ to keep him from the self-confidence, sin and temptation that led to denial, asking to be saved from his own weakness in order to remain loyal.
Christ as the Elder Brother holding out His helping hand to sinking Peter is the pattern for helping tempted ones. They must swim against the stream with the weight of waves driving them back, when doing God's service is not easy, the world is against them, the way seems hedged up, and Satan gets hold of the mind. Erring, despairing souls overwhelmed by mistakes and shame, who look upon their folly almost to desperation and struggle against sin and despair, are not to be neglected, broken off, or left to perish. Brethren are not to show the human side and become hindrances and stumbling blocks, but are to hold out a sympathizing hand with hopeful words and hopeful advice that restore confidence, establish faith and confidence, awaken love, and point to Christ's tender care and power to hold them up.
The erring one should feel the strong clasp of that hand and hear, Let us pray. Prayer unites hearts with one another and with God, brings Jesus to the side, and brings blessing and healing of the soul by the great Physician. It gives new strength and fresh grace to the fainting, perplexed soul to overcome the world, the flesh and the devil, turns aside Satan's attacks, and gives a rich experience of the Holy Spirit to both helper and helped that is registered in the heavenly books.
The compassionate Saviour keeps His eye upon the afflicted, is touched with the feelings of their infirmities, loves and pities them as no human can, and is with them strengthening and supporting them by His all-powerful arm. He will save His servant who has labored for souls, bring him out from affliction to health in answer to prayer, make him triumph in His name, and show him the salvation of God. When clouds envelop believers and they begin to sink they must not be discouraged but trust in God, call to mind His lovingkindness, and believe He will not leave them to sink, for His watchful eye is over them, His ear is ever open to their cry, and His strong arm will lift their head above the cloud. Therefore sufferers should be of good courage and wait patiently a little longer.
Help came when hearts were humbled, ambition subdued, and prayer for help was offered, for Jesus saw the danger of those who felt unable to save themselves and watched over them. Christ came to the terrified disciples on the water as a messenger of life, and His presence changed despair into faith and hope. Those with Him can trust His protection and need not fear death.