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 14:28-33
“Why did you doubt?” Sigh. Why do I doubt? My Thompson Chain Reference Bible defines the word doubt this way.
Disbelief, Distrust, uncertain, skeptical…I have also read that it carries the meaning of standing uncertainly at two ways. We see two choices not one…we waver between two opinions. Ugh.
Beloved…Jesus is the way the truth and the light…no one comes to the Father but through Him. There really is only one right way. Trials teach us to trust Jesus and Jesus alone. They teach us to obey His word, no matter the circumstances. They teach us that there really is no need to fear. Jesus is near. He is our very present help in times of trouble. He promises to be with us always…even and especially in the midst of our trouble. He will see us through. Even if the worst happens, His grace is sufficient. He will complete the good work He began in us.. We have a high priest that can sympathize with us in all our weaknesses. It is Jesus who sits at the right hand of our Father in heaven and makes intercession for us. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Oh, Father…I believe! Help my unbelief! Unite my heart to fear your name. My fears interfere with and overwhelm my faith. They keep me anchored to this world. They blind me to the things above. May I always look to you and be radiant…my face unashamed. When I inevitably falter and fail, may I cry out as Peter does…"Lord, save me!"
I sought the LORD, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.—Psalm 34:4-7 (emphasis mine)
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers” —1 Peter 3:12
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;—Isaiah 43:2-3a
For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.—2 Corinthians 1:8-11
Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.—Psalm 43:5
Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
31 But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. —Isaiah 40:28-31
