Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And
when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by
Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
So He said, “Come.” 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!”
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:22-33
Have you ever had a moment(s) in your life when you doubted? I do...all the time. I second guess decisions; I wonder if what I am doing is what the Lord wants me to do; I think that I am incompetent. I think that when everything is working out the way it "should" it is good, but when it doesn't, I begin to doubt. Who am I to tell God that I everything must always be perfect? Who am I to think that God has not placed me here in this time to be a light to someone who needs it? Who am I to second guess? Hasn't God said that there is a time and place for everything under heaven? Isn't He the one who calms the storms with His hands, whose love is as far as the east is from the west, who has spoken the world into existence?
Where is my faith?
Peter asked Jesus to command him to come walk to Him on the water if it was truly Him. He had his doubts, yet Peter heard Jesus call and stepped out of the boat and Peter did walk on water! There are times in my life where I doubt if it is really God commanding me to do something. Is it really you, God? Just like Peter, I have to take a step of faith out of the boat, understanding that once out, I must keep my eyes on Jesus.
But what got in the way next after the step of faith that Peter took? The wind did. It was boisterous, meaning it was loud, unrestrained, rough, stormy, and massive! Peter became afraid of the wind. It temporarily took Peter away from his intent of walking on the water toward Jesus. Because of his "indecision and uncertainty," Peter began to sink as soon as He took his eyes of Jesus. How true does this ring in my life! I allow stress, indecision, doubt stand in my full view of Jesus and then I begin to sink. I fail at keeping my eyes on the one who gave His life for me, and I sink.
The good news for Peter and me is that Jesus saves. Peter cried out. "Lord, save me!" And what did Jesus do? He saved Peter. His hand outstretched, immediately, to Peter. Jesus heard Peter and responded. I cry out also. "Lord, save me from myself doubt, indecision, and stresses of life! Help me!" Guess what?! God does exactly that. Just like Jesus immediately put out His hand to save Peter, He has done and continues to do the same for me.
Peter
took a risk by walking on the water because He knew that Jesus had the
power to walk on water. So why not ask and do the same? Take a step of
faith. Test the waters. And when you begin to doubt, know that God's hand is right there, ready to help you before you drown.
