From Matthew 14:28-33 / When Jesus says: “Come!”

When Jesus commanded Peter to come to Him walking on the water, it was no more miraculous than when He bid Lazarus to come out of the tomb – or to you and me when He said “Come unto me all you who are weak and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

His voice commands the seas. His voice commands the very stars. Heaven and earth are held together and function by His word.

How much more then should our hearts rest when He says that all who receive Him have the right to become the children of God?

All that is needed, is for us to believe Him. And the impossible is done. Rebels are made into servants. Sinners into saints. Savages into sons. The dead, raised to new life in Him. And all His promises made sure.

Sinner – hear Him – He calls to you today: Lay down your sin and flee to Him. His blood can cleanse every stain of sin and guilt. He can make you new this very moment – if you will but obey His commend to “come” – no matter how daunting, or impossible it seems.

Christian – hear Him – He calls to you today: Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you. Believe Him. He who began His good work in you will complete it until the day of His return. No matter how daunting the remnants of indwelling sin. No matter how far from bearing His restored image you are at this point, no matter how impossible that seems.

1 – HE bids us come! His voice we know,

And boldly on the waters go,

To Him, our Lord and God:

We walk on life’s tempestuous sea,

For He who died to set us free,

Hath called us by His word.

2—Secure from troubled waves we tread,

Nor all the storms around us heed,

While to our Lord we look;

O’er every fierce temptation bound,

The billows yield a solid ground,

The wave is firm as rock.

3—But if from Him we turn our eye,

And see the raging floods run high,

And feel our fears within,

Our foes so strong, our flesh so frail,

Reason and unbelief prevail,

And sink us into sin.

4—Lord, we our unbelief confess,

Our little spark of faith increase,

That we may doubt no more,

But fix on Thee a steady eye,

And on Thine outstretched arm rely,

Till all the storm is o’er.

Ryle’s Hymns for the Church on Earth #29