A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

WHY DO YOU DOUBT     

Matthew 14:27 (Read verses 22 – 32) “It is I. Don’t be afraid” 

Some of the Disciples of Jesus were experienced fishermen. One can speculate they had encountered a storm or two on the Sea of Galilee. They are again facing one of those storms. This one, however, had an added element. “Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.” A storm was one thing; A ghost was an entirely different matter. 

The “ghost” walking on the water called out to them, “It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Peter responded with a conditional faith, “If it is You tell me to come out on the water to You.” Peter had enough faith that he stopped out of the boat. He began to walk on the water. However, “. . . when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” “Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?” 

How many times have you faced a storm or a ghost in your life? When you have, did you face the situation with faith trusting in Jesus’ promise “Lo I am with you always?” Did you trust in the words of Peter, “Cast all you cares upon Him (Jesus) and He will take care of you?” Or when the “waves got a little bigger, the troubles became more intense, the mountain became too steep, did you panic and become afraid Jesus would fail you? 

St. Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 10:13 address these times in your life: “God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” Solomon exhorts: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)  Prayer: Grant unto me, O Lord, a faith that trusts You no matter what. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Oh, for a faith that will not shrink   
Tho’ pressed by many a foe;  
That will not tremble on the brink   
of poverty or woe; 

That will not murmur nor complain   
Beneath the chast’ning rod,  
But in the hour of grief or pain   
Can lean upon its God; 

A faith that shines more bright and clear   
When tempests rage without;  
That, when in danger, knows no fear,
In darkness feels no doubt; 

That bears unmoved the world’s dread frown   
Nor heeds its scornful smile;  
That sins’ wild ocean cannot drown   
Nor Satan’s arts beguile. 

A faith that keeps the narrow way  
Till Life’s last spark is fled  
And with a pure and heavenly ray  
Lights up the dying bed. 

Lord, give us such a faith as this;  
And then, whate’er may come,  
We’ll taste e’en now the hallowed bliss  
Of an eternal home.  

Oh, for a Faith That Will Not Shrink // TLH 396