Matthew 14:29-30 (NKJV): ...And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"
Naturally, 'walking on the water' is an impossible thing to do, and a fisherman Peter was, he knew this well enough. He also probably hasn't seen anyone doing it before. But a responsive disciple he was, he asked Jesus, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water", and Jesus responded, "Come". And that's when Peter began walking on the water! As long as Peter was focused on Jesus, he did walk on the water. But when he looked away from Him (and instead looked at the boisterous wind around him), he became afraid and began to sink!
Note: 'Walking on the water' here speaks of you 'walking supernaturally in what God has called or commanded you to do'.
People of God, it's the same today in your walk with God. As long as you are focused on Jesus (instead of the circumstances around you), you cannot and will not sink! Jesus is the Word (see John 1:1, John 1:14). So, 'Peter looking at Jesus' here speaks of you as a believer focusing on the Word!
You may be asking, "How on earth am I going to get through this situation?", or "How in the world am I going to 'achieve' this dream/prophecy? It seems too 'big' for me!"
Notice just before Peter asked if he could walk on the water, Jesus actually said these words, "Do not be afraid." Do you know why?
Now let's cross-refer to Joshua 1:8. It says, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." By the way, 'this Book of the Law' here speaks of God's Word (or God's instructions). Interestingly, Joshua 1:8 is written in between Joshua 1:7 ("Be strong and very courageous...") and Joshua 1:9 ("Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."). See the inter-relation between 'meditating on the Word' and 'being strong and courageous'?
There's no accident why Joshua 1:9 comes after Joshua 1:8. In short, when you meditate on the Word, not only you'll make your way prosperous and have good success, you'll also be strong! Note that 'being strong and courageous' is opposite to 'being afraid and being dismayed'. These are antagonistic to each other. When you have one, you don't have the other. And that's why meditation on the Word is so crucial, especially in the midst of a 'storm' you are facing! When you focus on Jesus (the Word), you have no reason to be afraid, no matter how 'boisterous' the wind around you may be!
What are some of the verses God has been speaking to you in the recent weeks? I believe these verses you have received recently are not accidental. These are in fact keys to make your way prosperous and have good success this year! Meditate on these verses day and night! The word 'meditate' here in Joshua 1:8 is 'hagah' in Hebrew, which means 'to mutter, or to speak under your breath'. In Oxford Dictionary, the word 'mutter' is defined as 'speak or say something in a low voice that is hard to hear, i.e. under your breath'. Mutter these verses again and again. And yes, like chewing your favorite steak, and squeezing its 'juice' right in your mouth. Enjoy and savor it! Chew it again and again slowly, 40 times, 50 times, or even 60 times! And that's how you are going to mutter God's Word too!
Note that 'hagah' is not silent meditation or confessing the Word aloud. There is definitely a place for silent meditation, and of course there is also a place for confessing the Word aloud in a believer's life. But Joshua 1:8 does not refer to either of these.
Let's look at the Bible now.
Silent meditation (or 'contemplation on the Word') is not 'hagah', but a silent focusing upon God's Word. One example in the Bible is in Philippians 4:8 that says, "...Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things." In this verse, the word 'meditate' is translated in King James Version as 'think of', which is 'logizomai' in Greek, which means 'to think of something said'.
As for confessing the Word aloud (or 'uttering the Word, declaring the Word aloud, or speaking the Word aloud'), the word is 'homologeo' in Greek, which means 'say the same, or say as God says'. One example in the Bible is in Romans 10:9 that says, "That if you confess ('homologeo') with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
Psalm 77:12 also clearly tells the difference between muttering ('hagah') and confessing the Word aloud. It says, "I will also meditate ('hagah') on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds." The word 'talk' here is pronounced 'siyakh' in Hebrew, which means 'to utter, to talk aloud, to declare, to converse with oneself aloud'.
This word 'hagah' is also found in Psalm 1:2-3 that says, "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates ('hagah') day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper." That's how blessed you are as you meditate on the Word of God! Praise God!
Also, as you 'hagah', the Holy Spirit (represented by the 'river' in Psalm 1:3) will show you (or teach/lead/guide you) the deeper things, revealing to you more and more the way to prosperity!
Interestingly, the word 'hagah' in Hebrew comes from three alphabets, i.e. 'Hey - Gimel - Hey'. In Hebrew, 'Hey' (the fifth alphabet) means 'grace, revelation, or breath', whereas 'Gimel' (the third alphabet) means 'foot, walk, or transport'. So, 'Hey - Gimel - Hey' means 'moving from grace to grace, from revelation to revelation, or from breath to breath'. You know what? As you 'hagah' day and night, you'll move (grow) from grace to grace, and revelation upon revelation! Not just that, 'breath' also speaks of 'life'. So, 'hagah' also brings you life, and more life!
Jesus, the Word, is the way, the truth, and the life! (John 14:6)
In conclusion, whether you are currently in the midst of a humanly 'impossible' challenge (like Peter), or you are currently trusting God for something 'big' in your life (like Joshua), keep focusing on Jesus by meditating ('hagah') on the Word, and you will make your way prosperous, and you will have good success. Amen!
