The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance 2 Peter 3:9 NIV
Do you remember being taught to ride a bike as a child? Your mother or father put training wheels on your bike, to get you comfortable riding, and to protect you from harm, by way of falling over. Then came the day the wheels came off, and they held onto the bike from behind, or the side, until they felt they could let go and simply run alongside as you peddled with reservation, but didn’t fall. All along, not letting go until you were ready, they were right by your side all the way.
This is similar to how our Lord works in our lives. As Peter notes, he is simply not willing to let us go.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:29-31 NIV
We know, here in this story, Peter took his eyes off of our Lord and began to sink. Again, he stated, “Lord, save me.” Many believe that’s when he received his actual salvation! When we cry out to the Lord, he won’t let us go. Especially in our storms, he is right there when we desperately need him! When we trust in him, he is simply not willing to let us go. Much like a parent teaching a child to swim won’t let go until he is sure the child won’t sink below the water, the Lord is not willing to let us sink in the deep waters of life.
Peter denied our Lord Jesus three times after his arrest, prior to the crucifixion. But after his resurrection, on the shores of Galilee, our Lord, Christ Jesus, reminds us once again that he simply wasn’t willing to let him go:
“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep!” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things, you know that I love you” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep” John 21:15-17 NIV
Much like Peter, we sometimes deny our Lord. Even then, he doesn’t deny us, and he is unwilling to let go!
What are his next words, after these, to Peter? “Follow me!”
Again, he is simply unwilling to let us go!
Praise the Lord!
Barnabas
Special thanks for this submission by guest blogger – Barnabas