How to Trust God When He Calls You to Walk Across the Turbulent Seas

Music That Inspires - Oceans

Come Walk Across the Waters

When Peter asked to walk on the water, Jesus said, “Come.” That same invitation is extended to you today. When God calls you across the waters, He is inviting you to a deeper faith in Him—to witness His power, experience His provision, and see His glory.

Like Peter, He says to you, “Come. Walk on the water with Me. Keep your eyes on Me. Don’t focus on the turbulent seas; I’ve got you.” That's a powerful thought!

Matthew 14:24-33 NIV

²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. ²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. ²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
²⁹ “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” ³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

When Jesus called Peter to step out of the boat, it wasn’t just an invitation to a miraculous act—it was a call to trust Him in the face of the impossible. Stepping out required Peter to leave the safety of what was familiar and comfortable. The waters represented uncertainty, fear, and the unknown, but Jesus’ presence and call transcended all of that.

In the same way, God often calls us out of our comfort zones—into “deeper waters” where our faith is stretched, refined, and strengthened. Like Peter, when we keep our eyes on Jesus, we can rise above life’s storms. However, when we allow our focus to shift to the chaos around us, doubt creeps in, and we begin to sink.

Peter’s experience is a reminder for us. When he looked at the wind and waves, he stopped walking in God’s strength and began relying on his own understanding. As Proverbs 3:5 reminds us, we are not to “lean on our own understanding.” The moment Peter shifted his gaze, he began to sink into fear.

But here’s the beauty of this story: Peter cried out, “Lord, save me!”—and Jesus immediately reached out His hand and caught him. Jesus didn’t let him drown, and He won’t let you drown either. Even when we falter, His grace and mercy are there to pull us up.

Jesus’ question to Peter, “Why did you doubt?” challenges us to examine our own hearts. Where are we letting doubt creep in? How often do we let the winds and waves distract us from the One who is in control?

No matter how tumultuous life gets, we must keep our trust anchored in Jesus, not in our circumstances. When storms rage, keep your eyes on Him. And if you find yourself sinking into doubt, don’t hesitate to cry out to God. His hand is always outstretched, ready to lift you up and steady your footing.

I’ll Meet You in the Fire

The three Hebrew boys in Daniel had no idea that they would be saved from the fire, but their faith did not waver. We are called to have uncompromising faith like those three Hebrew boys. Not to doubt and sink like Peter, but to trust that the God you serve has you. They didn't know the Son of Man would show up in the fire. But they didn't waver in their faith.

The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3 is such a profound example of unwavering faith. They faced a life-or-death situation, and their response was powerful:

“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Daniel 3:17-18).

Their faith wasn't rooted in the expectation of deliverance from the fire, but in their commitment to remain faithful to God, regardless of the outcome. They didn’t know the Son of Man would show up in the fire, but their confidence in God was not dependent on their circumstances. It was an uncompromising faith, one that trusted God's sovereignty and goodness no matter what.

This challenges us to cultivate that same steadfast faith, one that doesn't waver in the face of trials, doubts, or the unknown. Like the three Hebrew boys, we are called to trust that the God we serve will be with us through the fire—whether or not He delivers us in the way we expect. Faith is about standing firm, knowing that God has us, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Beloved are you called to walk across the water? Have confidence that God will meet you and not let your feet fail. In 2024 a dear friend of mine shared that God is calling her across the waters. She wasn’t certain what it meant. It is only recently that I realized what God was saying to her.

I was reading the passage of scripture in Matthew when Peter walks across the water - recognizing that everything Jesus did was with intentionality. Noticing the hand of God holding the boat back with the wind. Another opportunity for the Apostles to experience God’s miraculous power. And Peter saying Lord, if its you bid me come. And Jesus responds Come - a word reverberating through time compelling us all to walk across the water. To keep our eyes fixed on him and not the surrounding storm, knowing that if God called us that He’s got us.

Worship With Me - Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep my faith will stand

And I will call upon Your Name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your Name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine, oh

And You are mine, oh

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
—repeat 5x

I will call upon Your Name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Joel Houston / Matt Crocker / Salomon Lighthelm

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing

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