Posted at Reformation Scotland:
Sometimes we pull through a time of real difficulty and can only marvel at the narrow escape we had. According to Alexander Henderson’s advice though, the feeling of relief should not hold us back from reflecting closely on the details of the experience, because it is in these little things that we will be able to see all the more clearly the care that God continually shows to His people. All the complex interacting and interweaving factors in the situation were being managed and arranged by God and recognising this will only increase our thankfulness and the glory we give to Him. Alexander Henderson bases his remarks on the incident in Matthew 14 where Peter was saved from drowning when the Lord Jesus put out His hand and caught him. In the following updated extract, Henderson explains how it honours the Lord to notice the details of His deliverances.When the wind became boisterous, Peter did not have enough faith to be able to walk on the water any more, for through the weakness of his faith he began to sink. Yet he had enough faith that when he did begin to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately the Lord answered his prayer, and sent him an immediate deliverance, in such a way that Peter would know it was from Himself. Yet at the same time He rebukes Peter for the weakness of his faith, which made him waver so much that although at first he would attempt to walk on the water, now he begins to sink.
In Peter’s deliverance, there are four or five things to observe.How great it was — Peter was on the water, and the wind was boisterous.
- How timely and opportune it was — just when he was beginning to sink.
- How obvious Christ’s work in it was — He stretched out His hand and caught him.
- How closely related it was to Peter’s prayer — in fact, it was a real answer to Peter’s prayer. “Peter cried, ‘Lord, save me!’ and immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand and caught him.”
- How clearly it shows free grace. Peter’s unbelief and doubting was the lead that made him sink, but free grace was the rock that lifted him out. So the deliverance was a free deliverance, not from his merit, but contrary to his demerit.