“Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”” (Matthew 14:31, ESV)
Matthew 14:26 explains that the disciples were “terrified”, because they were caught in a storm in the dead of night on the Sea of Galilee. They knew that the Sea of Galilee could unleash fast-moving, violent storms. But, in the dead of night, the storms on the Sea were the worst. You couldn’t see far at all. Rocks could destroy the boat even before you saw them. A body lashed by the waves and dashed against the rocks was brutally beaten. Few could survive a nasty storm on the Sea of Galilee. Yet, in the middle of that storm, as the disciples were tossed about on a tiny boat, in fear for their lives, Jesus approached the disciples walking on water.
Despite the ferocious wind and waves, the disciples saw Jesus. At first, they thought He was a ghost (Matthew 14:26b). Then, when they realized it was Jesus, Peter desired to go to Jesus. Notwithstanding the storm, Peter knew safety lie with Jesus. Peter stepped out in faith, out of the boat, on his way to Jesus. However, Peter’s faith began to weaken with the wind and the waves (Matthew 14:30). Peter cried out for help from Jesus. Jesus did not hesitate. Reaching out and saving Peter, Jesus offered the words for our meditation today. Jesus said to Peter, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31).
The words Jesus spoke to Peter speaks volumes. Normally, in such a dangerous situation as a storm while at Sea at night, it would be natural to doubt. However, in Jesus’ presence, there was no need for doubt. Peter was in good hands. Why would Peter step out of the safety of the boat only to doubt a few moments later?
That’s the issue, isn’t it? How many Christians fail Jesus in the same way as Peter! They make a commitment to Jesus, then step out in faith, only to recoil in fear when turmoil or troubles hit hard. Don’t they realize the safest place in the world is in the presence of Jesus?
During the Christmas season, there are many people who talk about the beauty of the lights, the pretty manger scenes, the sweet Christmas carols, and the lovely times. They picture the birth of Jesus as a treasured moment with the presence of beautiful angels, a wondrous star lighting up the night sky, and the graceful presence of parents with their newborn child. But there were ominous portents at Jesus’ birth that are often ignored. There was no safe place to give birth to Jesus. He was born in a stable. There was no crib for His head! Jesus was placed in a manger, where animals are fed. It was cold. The setting was inhospitable. The place of Jesus’ birth was far from sterile. Other dangers were lurking, including the fact that King Herod wanted Jesus dead. People look at Christmas as a pleasant event, when facts prove Christmas for Jesus was frightful. In the same way, Christians make commitments of faith (like Peter!) only to recoil with fright when realities and insecurities and dangers take hold. Then, they seem to fall prey to the same thing as Peter. They lose faith. They doubt.
Doubt has a way of wrecking faith. It brings “what ifs” to bear. It causes insecurities and fears to loom large. Doubt caused Peter to begin to sink in the Sea. Jesus had to save Peter from his doubt. In the same way, doubt will shake up your world. It’s all too easy to drown in fears, insecurities, and “what ifs”. The unknowns can totally swamp your peace.
A wise person once said, “Doubt creates mountains; faith moves them.” (p. 102, The Complete Book of Zingers”).
If you want to celebrate the birth of the Christ child, put faith ahead of your doubt. Don’t let doubt mire you in a swamp of panic, dread, anxiety, or worry. Put your hand in Jesus’s hand. Put your faith in the Son of God. Put away your “what ifs”. Trust that the God of this universe has your best interest in hand!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Today, oh Lord my God, I promised to put my hand in your hand and keep it there. I will endeavor to not doubt in Your saving grace. I will trust in Your Word. I recommit myself to follow Your will. I will look to Jesus when anything shakes up my world!
I thank You for saving the Israelites from a life of bondage in Egypt. I thank You for the truth that rang from the voices of the prophets. I thank You for the many lives You have redeemed from the ashes. I love the way You change our world for the better.
I will not be overcome by worldly fears. I will not let the news media shake my belief in Your power. I choose to take my place at Your side, doing Your will, accomplishing Your plan for my life.
Even when I fall, show me the way back to You. When I doubt, remind me of Your unwavering commitment to save my soul. I do need saving! I also need to stand by You when life gets complicated!
In the name of Jesus Christ, may I have enough faith to get out of my comfort zone and withstand whatever storms arise with You by my side! Amen.
Despite the ferocious wind and waves, the disciples saw Jesus. At first, they thought He was a ghost (Matthew 14:26b). Then, when they realized it was Jesus, Peter desired to go to Jesus. Notwithstanding the storm, Peter knew safety lie with Jesus. Peter stepped out in faith, out of the boat, on his way to Jesus. However, Peter’s faith began to weaken with the wind and the waves (Matthew 14:30). Peter cried out for help from Jesus. Jesus did not hesitate. Reaching out and saving Peter, Jesus offered the words for our meditation today. Jesus said to Peter, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31).
The words Jesus spoke to Peter speaks volumes. Normally, in such a dangerous situation as a storm while at Sea at night, it would be natural to doubt. However, in Jesus’ presence, there was no need for doubt. Peter was in good hands. Why would Peter step out of the safety of the boat only to doubt a few moments later?
That’s the issue, isn’t it? How many Christians fail Jesus in the same way as Peter! They make a commitment to Jesus, then step out in faith, only to recoil in fear when turmoil or troubles hit hard. Don’t they realize the safest place in the world is in the presence of Jesus?
During the Christmas season, there are many people who talk about the beauty of the lights, the pretty manger scenes, the sweet Christmas carols, and the lovely times. They picture the birth of Jesus as a treasured moment with the presence of beautiful angels, a wondrous star lighting up the night sky, and the graceful presence of parents with their newborn child. But there were ominous portents at Jesus’ birth that are often ignored. There was no safe place to give birth to Jesus. He was born in a stable. There was no crib for His head! Jesus was placed in a manger, where animals are fed. It was cold. The setting was inhospitable. The place of Jesus’ birth was far from sterile. Other dangers were lurking, including the fact that King Herod wanted Jesus dead. People look at Christmas as a pleasant event, when facts prove Christmas for Jesus was frightful. In the same way, Christians make commitments of faith (like Peter!) only to recoil with fright when realities and insecurities and dangers take hold. Then, they seem to fall prey to the same thing as Peter. They lose faith. They doubt.
Doubt has a way of wrecking faith. It brings “what ifs” to bear. It causes insecurities and fears to loom large. Doubt caused Peter to begin to sink in the Sea. Jesus had to save Peter from his doubt. In the same way, doubt will shake up your world. It’s all too easy to drown in fears, insecurities, and “what ifs”. The unknowns can totally swamp your peace.
A wise person once said, “Doubt creates mountains; faith moves them.” (p. 102, The Complete Book of Zingers”).
If you want to celebrate the birth of the Christ child, put faith ahead of your doubt. Don’t let doubt mire you in a swamp of panic, dread, anxiety, or worry. Put your hand in Jesus’s hand. Put your faith in the Son of God. Put away your “what ifs”. Trust that the God of this universe has your best interest in hand!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Today, oh Lord my God, I promised to put my hand in your hand and keep it there. I will endeavor to not doubt in Your saving grace. I will trust in Your Word. I recommit myself to follow Your will. I will look to Jesus when anything shakes up my world!
I thank You for saving the Israelites from a life of bondage in Egypt. I thank You for the truth that rang from the voices of the prophets. I thank You for the many lives You have redeemed from the ashes. I love the way You change our world for the better.
I will not be overcome by worldly fears. I will not let the news media shake my belief in Your power. I choose to take my place at Your side, doing Your will, accomplishing Your plan for my life.
Even when I fall, show me the way back to You. When I doubt, remind me of Your unwavering commitment to save my soul. I do need saving! I also need to stand by You when life gets complicated!
In the name of Jesus Christ, may I have enough faith to get out of my comfort zone and withstand whatever storms arise with You by my side! Amen.