Where do we put our trust when the road ahead is uncertain? What do we build our lives upon when the ground beneath us is shaking? Where do we turn when the world around us is seemingly spinning out of control?
Peter had just been restored by Jesus to walk in the way that the Lord was placing before him. He had confessed his undying love for his Savior. But Jesus had just also explained that Peter would follow Jesus to his death – a death on the cross. Then Jesus said, “Follow Me.” It wasn’t the first time that Jesus had told Peter to follow Him – and it wouldn’t be the last. Jesus would remind him – and encourage him – to follow Him every day – regardless of what was in the path ahead – and regardless of what was going on around him – until his journey on this earth was completed. This moment may have been the last that Jesus stood in front of Peter physically and told him to “Follow Me”, but He would continue to do so through His Spirit. Peter’s journey with Jesus was not ending there on the shore of the Sea of Galilee (John 21:18-23), nor would it end a few days later at the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:1-11) when Jesus ascended into heaven one last time. His journey with Jesus would continue throughout eternity – for a finite period on this side of glory – and for an infinite period on the other side of glory.
Right after Jesus told Peter how he would die, and that He was to follow Him, Peter turned around and saw John. As he did, he asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” (referring to John). That question is an example of how easily we can become distracted. Jesus corrected Peter and reminded him that his job was to follow, not to be focused on the paths of those around him. The writer of Hebrews records that we are to keep “our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish” (Hebrews 12:2).
There is only one foundation that will remain firm no matter what we may encounter. It is the only foundation that is sure. It is the only foundation that can’t be shaken. And that foundation is Jesus! He didn’t just come to show us how to walk; He came so that He might enable us to walk. He is not only our way directionally; He is our way foundationally. He is not only our way in the hereafter; He is our way in the here and now.
Throughout the Gospels, we repeatedly see the way the Father ordered His Son’s steps according to His perfect timing. Not one encounter was “by chance”. Not one moment was wasted. Not one circumstance was unexpected by the Father. The Father had known it all from before the beginning of time. And He had ordered the steps of His Son to fulfill His perfect redemptive plan. His way was sure. And it still is!
The Father not only ordered the steps of His Son, He has ordered the steps of His Son’s followers. He ordered Peter’s steps in the work He had prepared for him in the furtherance of His gospel. Peter was the first to preach the Good News on the day of Pentecost when 3,000 believed and were baptized. He was the first to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles. He suffered persecution, imprisonment, beatings and crucifixion – all for the sake of the gospel (Acts 5:41). John fulfilled his assignment to care for Mary, the mother of Jesus, and then went on to be the leader of the church of Ephesus, was persecuted in Rome by being cast into boiling oil, and then was exiled on the island of Patmos. The paths of each of the disciples were all very different. But they all ultimately led to the same place – the glory of God.
And so it is with ours. He has uniquely ordered our steps. As we walk in those steps, we will experience very different circumstances. Some of us may experience extreme persecution. Some of us may experience severe health challenges. Some of us may experience painful losses. Some of us may experience abundant blessing. Some of us may experience significant loss. But regardless, the path that we walk on can give us certainty and assurance – even in the midst of uncertainty.
Whatever lies in the path ahead, as we take up the cross to follow Jesus, we would do well to remember the words of our Savior to Peter – “As for you, follow Me.” Our times are in His hands. Our circumstances are in His hands. Our very lives are in His hands. And He has permitted it all. He has ordered our steps through it all. And He is the way in whom – and on whom – we can walk confidently. He is our firm foundation. As the song Build My Life (lyrics below) expresses – He is worthy of every song, He is worthy of all praise and He is worthy of every breath.
Heed the words of the prophet Isaiah – “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past” – {or even the present!} “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV). And as you walk in that way on His foundation, “your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it’” (Isaiah 30:21 ESV).
Excerpt from Taking Up The Cross (chapter 61)
Build My Life
Worthy of every song we could ever sing.
Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring.
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe.
We live for You.
Jesus, the name above every other name.
Jesus, the only One who could save.
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe.
We live for You.
Oh we live for You.
Holy, there is no one like You
There is none besides You
Open up my eyes in wonder
Show me who You are and fill me
With Your heart and lead me
In Your love to those around me.
And I will build my life upon Your love, It is a firm foundation.
And I will put my trust in You alone, And I will not be shaken.
Publishing: Capitol CMG Genesis / Housefires Sounds / Worshiptogether.Com Songs / sixsteps Music / Said And Done Music (ASCAP) (Admin. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) / Thankyou Music (PRS) (admin. worldwide at CapitolCMGPublishing.com excluding Europe which is admin. by Integrity Music, part of the David C Cook family – songs@integritymusic.com) / Bethel Music Publishing / Kaple Music (ASCAP) (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing) / Sentric Music Limited (PRS) (admin. by Arkyard Music Services)
Songwriter(s): Pat Barrett, Brett Younker, Matt Redman, Kirby Kaple, and Karl Martin