Finding The Secret

More Than Conquerors
March 2004

“Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
“During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear.
“But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’
“‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’
“‘Come,’ he said.
Then Peter got 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?’
“And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’” —Matthew 14:22-33

Peter’s first step on the water is one of the greatest examples in the Bible of what it means to live by faith. To live by faith is to do whatever Christ calls you to, even if it is humanly impossible (like walking on water), because you trust in Him, and know that His plans are much greater than ours. Walking on water is physically impossible, but when you do what Jesus asks, no matter what it is, the impossible becomes possible.

In our lives we may not be called to physically walk on water. But we will have times in our life when we know that Christ is calling us to do something that seems impossible for a finite human being to do. But my encouragement to you and to myself is to take that step on the water in faith, and do what Christ calls you to do, no matter how hard it may seem. When you step out of the boat of human wisdom, Christ’s wisdom and strength will sustain you.

It doesn’t make sense to those who choose to stay in the boat. It will probably not make much sense to you as you take the first step. But when you are on the water, walking towards Jesus, you will find that it is really the only option to take.

Knowing Faith’s Vivaciousness

Enjoying your security
And standing distant from the brink,
You stay where it is safest
At least that is what you may think—
You feel only the salty spray
It doesn’t look like you can sink!

Yes, I agree the boat looks safe—
It’s not the safest place to be!
When Jesus has been calling you
There’s nowhere safer than the sea—
He wants you dancing on the waves,
To step in faith has been His plea.

Though not the smartest place to be
It is the wisest way, I know,
You’ll feel the crashing of the waves
If you decide that you will go;
You’ll hear the dreadful thunder ‘round,
And see God’s brilliant lightning show—

But there is nowhere else to find
The peacefulness that Jesus holds,
No other way to feel His warmth
But to endure the biting cold,
To know of faith’s vivaciousness
We must but do what He has told.

So step into the water, friend,
And see your faith becoming sound,
With Jesus’ strength sustaining you
It’s like you walk on solid ground!
And there is nowhere else on earth
Where Christ himself is to be found!

—Benjamin Graber

Saint Peter

O Peter, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Indeed the spray flew fast about,
But He was there whose walking foot
Could make the wandering hills take root;
And He had said “Come down to me,”
Else hadst thou not set foot on sea!
Christ did not call thee to thy grave!
Was it the boat that made thee brave?

“Easy for thee who wast not there
To think thou more than I couldst dare!
It hardly fits thee though to mock
Scared as thou wast that railway shock!
Who said this morn, ‘Wife, we must go—
The plague will soon be here, I know!’
Who, when thy child slept—not to death—
Saidst, ‘Life is now not worth a breath!’”

Saint Peter, thou rebukest well!
I needs no tempest me to quell,
Not even a spent lash of its spray!
Things far too little to affray
Will wake the doubt that’s worst of all—
Is there a God to hear me call?
But if He be, I never think
That He will hear and let me sink!

Lord of my little faith, my Lord,
Help me to fear not fire nor sword;
Let not the cross itself appall
Which bore thee, Life and Lord of all;
Let not reeling brain nor fainting heart
Wipe out the sureness that thou art;
Dwell farther in than doubt can go,
And make I hope become I know.

Then, sure, if thou should please to say,
“Come to my side,” some stormy way,
My feet, atoning to thy will,
Shall, heaved and tossed, walk toward thee still;
No heart of lead shall sink me where
Prudence lies crowned with cold despair,
But I shall reach and clasp thy hand,
And on the sea forget the land!

—George MacDonald

The Lonely Edge

On the lonely edge of disbelief,
By sight I calmly walk,
Hearing each footstep hit the dirt,
As if my feet could talk—

The more I watch my shoes, the more
I find all I can do,
Is hold to the things encircling me,
Because I can’t see You—

But the lonely edge of disbelief
Is cold and so forlorn—
And as I fall to the ground my soul
Is from my spirit torn—

I can’t see You—I can’t see You!
I’m holding onto space—
But both Your arms are holding me,
Below Your absent face—

The Hand outstretched to catch my fall
Is invisible to me—
But I can feel it—I can feel it—
And, Lord, I do believe—

—Joanna Spencer
© 2004 Joanna J. Spencer. Used with permission.

Weary tears adorn our eyes
Piercing into darkened skies
Will He hear our broken sighs...
Will He heed our desperate cries...
When we’re down and sore despised?

Catch a glimpse of sunrise bright
Tearing at the passing night.
Setting sullen souls alight
From coal black to livid white.
’Tis an edifying sight!

Now wild fire abroad spreads fast.
Inspired Words burn once dry grass.
Time for smoldering has passed
Instead bright living contrast;
Revival has come at last!

—Samuel Popiel

God knows each and every thing in our hearts
Things that trouble us, and things that bring cheer
Cast your cares upon Him and He shall
Sustain thee, His promise is most sincere!

—Terra Mandrell
© Terra Mandrell. Used with permission.

Faith...

So strong, it can move a mountain.
Yet it’s lighter than the air.
It’s the fruit of the Spirit,
Longsuffering and full of care.

For by grace are ye saved through it.
And without it, you are lost.
The trying of it worketh patience;
Sometimes, how great the cost.

With it, Peter walked on water
And Moses parted the sea.
If you had it, as a mustard seed,
What faith would do for you and me!

Faith caused the barren to conceive
And it made the blind to see.
Faith raised a man from the dead
And it calmed an angry sea.

Without it, we are fearful.
Out lives are filled with doubt.
With it, our sins are forgiven
And peace will reign throughout.

Jesus stretches forth His hand
And whispers, “Wherefore didst thou doubt?
I promised, if you would only have faith,
God’s miracles you’d never be without.”

Never Alone Will Be

When sadness like the ocean waves washes over me,
And I feel like I am drowning in my sorrow.
I know that I never alone will be,
For You are with me for an eternity of tomorrows.

When anger like the raging storm sweeps over me,
And I feel like I am pierced with many arrows.
I know that I never alone will be,
For You are with me for an eternity of tomorrows.

When loneliness grabs my heart and overtakes me
And I feel like my heart will break.
I know that I never alone will be,
For You are with me for an eternity of tomorrows.

—Lucille Gotch
© 2004 Lucille Gotch. Used with permission.

Empty Eyes

I don’t understand how the world exists
Without this faith in You—
How do the faithless walk down the street?
I thank You I’m confused—

Why aren’t they on all the corners,
Crying so hard they can’t stand?
How do the faithless go on with their lives?
I thank You I don’t understand—

Smiling at me are empty eyes,
Amongst the lost world’s glow—
How do the faithless breathe without You?
I thank You I don’t know—

—Joanna Spencer
© Joanna J. Spencer. Used with permission.

Stumbling Headlong to Glory

Leadfooted
Encumbered
Each movement outnumbered

Contorted
Asunder
Spirit caving under

Slowly press
On, halted.
O’er me pain exalted

Unsure steps
Darkness hid
My tears my wounds salted

Quicken pace!
But I’m lost
What time my frailty costs!

Flat on face
In the moss
I can’t this wild land cross.

Why try still?
Strength is gone.
No one sees, I’m alone.

No, none will
Urge me on.
They’ve giv’n up for so long

They cannot
Know my mind.
They watch me from behind.

They know not
That my grind
Is for glory that’s mine.

’Tis why I
Got back up
Despite logic disrupt.

Towards the sky
I soar up
To grasp a better cup.

—Samuel Popiel

The Voice

I hear a voice say, “Drop everything,”
“For only then will you be ready for what I will bring.”

“Drop everything you are doing now, and completely trust Me.”
“For that’s the only way you can be truly free.”

But I think with rationale, I cannot.
There are things to do, people to see and things to be bought.

I have to go to college
And help others by having a professional knowledge.

But He says, “My way is better.”
“I’ve written you, and you need to read My Letter.”

“Come. Come and let Me show you the way.”
“Give Me your future, and your today!”

“Drop it all and come and follow and trust Me.”
I know this must be my earnest plea!

“Let Me show you the truth.”
“Let Me show you the way to life, too.”

“Drop it all and come and follow Me.”
“Please trust Me completely.”

“Just let go of it ~ I love you!”
“I want you to sup with Me, let Me be your refuge.”

The Voice, so gentle, so patient, so tender.
It’s almost more then I can bear.

“I will protect you. It’s okay.”
“At My feet your burdens you must lay.”

“The Deceiver can’t harm you. I am the Lord.”
“And I am greater then the ruler of this world.”

“Just come. I will keep you.”
“Come as you are, let Me take you.”

“Let Me have it all. All of it.”
“To Me alone must you be devoted.”

“Don’t hold onto any of it. Just give.”
“Give it all to Me. And let Me make the way for you to live.”

So full of patience and love.
And I think to myself, in view of this Voice from above:

How can He love me after all the evil I’ve thought and done?
Why can He love me so after my wrong?

And He responds with a silence, as if to say
“I am love,” and “You have nothing to pay.”

In the quiet He continues His call,
“And love knocks down walls.”

“Love overcomes death, and sin”
“Oh, please, my child, let Me in!”

He has patiently pursued me.
I have denied Him, though I know He is trustworthy.

But I have committed too many sins~
I am not fit to be a child of the King.

But I will fail. But how can you use me?
But I am not good enough, not good enough for Thee.

But I can’t ‘til I get out of college. I’m supposed to do this first!
Are some of the things I’ve nursed.

And again He responds to me,
With just a silence in the face of my plea.

As if to say, “I am love.”
—This is what the Voice says from above.

“And love overcomes death, and sin.”
“Oh, please, my child, let me in!”

“This is the gift send down from above.”
“This perfect love. My love!”

Fate

My mind is often vague
I don’t know where to go;
But if I walk in faith
The way begins to show—

But why did You create
So wide the path that’s wrong?
Why shall I find a pit
If I just go along?

Too many fall in pits;
Too many follow crowds—
Why is the road to death
Unguarded and allowed?

But maybe it’s because
There’s nothing near as great
As one who steps on water
And hands to You his fate...

—Benjamin Graber

Be Still

Sometimes the path we’re called to walk
Is hard beyond belief.
We ask our Father in heaven above
To send us sweet relief.

And yet the days go on and on,
The pain, it just persists
We pray and trust and seek God’s will—
The devil to resist!

The silence to our pleading prayers
Is almost deafening.
We wonder why a “fix” won’t come
No answer from the King.

But just when hope seems all but gone
We hear our Savior speak
“Be still my child, be still and wait
And only My will seek.”

“Be still and know that I am God.”
Psalm 46:10

—Greta K.Cole
© 2000 Greta Cole. Used with permission.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or
nakedness or danger or sword?… No, in all these things
we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
—Romans 8:35, 37

If you have any comments or questions, or if you have a poem to share, please send an e-mail to bgraber@neo.rr.com

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