Rescued from Doubt

June 27, 2021 Background Scripture: Matthew 14:22 – 33 Lesson Passage: Matthew 14:22 – 33 Some people are risk takers by nature and others, like me, tend to be more cautious—or calculating—by nature. Every time I read the historical account that is presented in today’s lesson, I am reminded of this fact. The disciples of Jesus were in a boat that was caught in a storm on the sea. They were in a similar situation before. In the previous situation, Jesus was in the boat with them—fast asleep in the stern. They only had to wake Jesus up to feel safer. However, Jesus is not in the boat with them this time. Jesus sent them ahead in the boat to the other side of the sea while he remained on the coast sending the multitude away. After sending the multitude away, Jesus ascended a mountain to pray. The disciples were in the boat sailing across the sea when a fierce storm arose. While the boat was caught in the middle of the sea in the storm, Jesus walked out to them on top of the waves. The sight of Jesus frightened his disciples because people don’t walk on water. They were sure they were looking at a ghost. Jesus greeted them and assured them that it was him indeed and not a ghost as they suspected. Peter, unlike me, requested Jesus prove that it was him by commanding him to join him on the water. Jesus beckoned Peter to get out of the boat and join him. The Bible records that Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water to go to Jesus. While that was going on, there were eleven disciples in the boat watching this. (Again, I acknowledge that I would be one of the “boat people”.) The distraction of the wind caused Peter to fear, and he began to sink. Peter called out to Jesus to rescue him, and Jesus caught him by the hand. Jesus did not commend Peter for taking steps on the water but rather he questioned why Peter had doubted after he was doing it. When they got in the boat, the storm ceased, and the disciples worshiped Jesus as the Son of God. It took a lot of faith for Peter to get out of the boat and stand on the water. Peter had unusual faith that allowed him to get out of the boat during a storm and walk on the water. Peter’s experience and Jesus’ reaction remind us that faith must be prepared to finish what it starts. So many times, we begin moving in a direction with the assurance that God is leading us. It might seem like it is going to be smooth sailing at the beginning. But sometimes storms do pop up out of nowhere as we travel through this life. If we have the assurance that God was with us in the beginning, then we can be sure that He still is. God promised to never leave us nor forsake us. Christians can be sure that God will not ask us to do anything we cannot do, or He is not willing to do with or for us. There is a difference between faith and willpower. Willpower is the self-assurance we can muster to attempt whatever we put our minds to accomplish. Faith is knowing what God has said and behaving in a manner that is consistent with what God has said. We will sometimes be overcome by doubt after we start on a journey. If we started our journey because of our willpower, we should be concerned when doubt comes. Our doubt reminds us to reevaluate what we are doing. On the other hand, if we started our journey because God led us to and doubt comes, then we need to ask God to help us finish what we started. When God is leading us, our text should give us the assurance that God will rescue us from doubt when we cry out to Him for help. Robert C. Hudson May 22, 2021