“WHY DID YOU DOUBT?”

 

Matthew 14:22-33                     (ESV)

JESUS Walks on the Water

“[22] Immediately HE made the disciples get into the boat and go before HIM to the other side, while HE dismissed the crowds. [23] And after HE had dismissed the crowds, HE went up on the mountain BY HIMSELF TO PRAY. When evening came, HE was there alone, [24] but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. [25] And in the fourth watch of the night HE came to them, walking on the sea. [26] But when the disciples saw HIM walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. [27] But immediately JESUS spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

[28] And Peter answered HIM, “LORD, if it is YOU, command me to come to you on the water.” [29] HE said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to JESUS. [30] But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “LORD, save me.” [31] JESUS immediately reached out HIS hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, “WHY DID YOU DOUBT?”” [32] And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. [33] And those in the boat worshiped HIM, saying, “Truly YOU are the SON of GOD.”

There will be SEVERAL commentaries regarding the passage of Scripture written above!  There are several “lessons” that I can see already, and I am almost excited about what these verses have to say to us!  

JESUS had just fed “about five thousand men, besides women and children”, so it should make sense that HE was weary from what is known as “ministerial duties”.   HE came WALKING ON THE SEA to HIS Disciples and Peter asked to walk with HIM.  Peter did fine, until he took his eyes off of JESUS, then he began to sink!  JESUS promptly asked Peter, “O you of little faith, “WHY DID YOU DOUBT?”, causing him to begin to sink?  

The words “WHY DID YOU DOUBT” really struck home with this humble servant!  Nineteen years ago this morning at 5:30AM, I woke up and was experiencing “a massive brain hemorrhage”!  Many have heard me bragging about what GOD did for me over the next two years, but it is something that I REFUSE to be silent about!  

Like the Apostle Peter, I sometimes have to answer to GOD “WHY DID YOU DOUBT” when things don’t go as smoothly as “I prefer” that they should! HIS PLAN is FAR BETTER than my wildest imaginations!  I never would have dreamed in my feeble mind I could survive something so potentially devastating, but I was NOT in control!  HE WAS!!!

The fact that HE IS IN CONTROL should give me PEACE, because HE has already proven to me that HE needed me out of HIS WAY before HE could do what ONLY HE COULD DO!!!