But when he saw the wind… Matthew 14:30 (NIV)
Peter’s attention had been focused on Jesus. He watched Jesus walk toward him on the water, he listened to Jesus inviting him to come, and he stepped out of the boat in a risky initiative of obedient faith. He walked by faith in the Son of God.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and he began to sink. Can you see what happened? As long as his attention was focused on Jesus, as long as he had the ability and the power and the command of Jesus firmly fixed in his mind, his faith prevailed.
Then, when his mind got filled with the strength of the wind, the height of the waves, and the difficulty and danger of what Jesus was calling him to do, he began to sink.
Here is the heart of worship: “to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple” (Psa. 27:4). David knew what it was to come to worship and for his soul to catch a glimpse of the greatness and glory of the Lord. And David knew that he couldn’t live on occasional experiences of God. He longed to live in such a way that he constantly had the beauty, holiness, and awesome power of the Lord in his view.
This is what we are trying to do when we meet for worship. We are seeking a fresh glimpse of Jesus. Why? This is how faith is both sustained and renewed.
When you come to church for worship, you are coming away from the pressures of the week. You have felt the wind and seen the waves, and you come intentionally to direct your attention to Jesus, who is not overwhelmed by these things. True worship brings Jesus into view.
What is absorbing your attention right now? Seek the beauty, holiness, and power of Jesus.
