23

23

So there are just three words uttered by Peter, “Lord, save

me”. There is an acute condition, an urgent situation, in which

Peter needs salvation. This scripture does not speak about our

eternal salvation, our initial dealings with the Lord, but it does

relate to our day-to-day life, and the things that may arise in it.

Sometimes situations arise and we find ourselves in certain

circumstances, not through our own wills, but the Lord allows

them that we might prove Him, that we might prove the

strength of His saving arm. Certain ones amongst us locally,

beloved brethren, are under much pressure, but the same One

is near to turn to in that pressure. He is never far away, He

always answers the cry, “Lord, save me”. It says, “And

immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught hold of

.him”.

It brings in a certain impression, I believe, of the nearness of

Jesus at all times and His availability to pluck us from

conditions in which we need salvation. It may not be that we

are taken out of the circumstances. What happened here was

that they went up into the ship and all things became calm.

That is, the Lord was now there with them in that situation, and

what really matters is the fact that you have a sense of the

Lord’s nearness. That is what sustains you at all times. He

allows circumstances of pressure that we might not miss this

vital part of our education, proving that He is able, and that He

is the One who has

every resource in times such as many are passing through.

The result is, I believe, that we acquire a greater experience of

the strength of the saving power of such a One, and thus He

has a greater place in our affections. May it be so, beloved

brethren, for His name’s sake.

Word in Meeting for Ministry, Redbridge

30 August 1988