#5 in FAITH & HOPE: Living in the Balance of Wisdom and Revelation
“And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. ”
Doubt is a faith killer. Notice the effects of doubt in Peter's heart.
But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out with His hand and took hold of him, and *said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" Matthew 14:30-31
Peter was walking on water because he saw Jesus walking on water. Just like he healed people because he saw Jesus heal people. But when the wind and waves increased, Peter became afraid and began to sink, which is interesting. Have you ever stepped into a pool from the edge? Did you BEGIN to sink, or did you immediately sink? You don't BEGIN to sink. You sink. But Peter began to sink.
There was an intermediate period where his faith, or trust in Jesus, began to waiver, and he was caught between faith and doubt, beginning to sink.
Ponder the parallels in your life for a moment. Where are you wavering, caught between fear and faith? Where are you distracted by wind and waves, caught between distracted doubt and focused confidence?
Lord, Increase Our Faith!
In the Gospel of Luke, the disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith, believing that they could do the impossible with more faith. But Jesus responded by saying that faith as small as a mustard seed could move a tree into the sea. Jesus was teaching his disciples that the strength of their faith did not depend on its size but on its quality.
Jesus said that all things are possible for those who believe, but he also instructed us to "doubt not." Doubt is like the opposing force to faith. Doubt chokes the seed of God's kingdom that is trying to grow in your heart and affect your life on every level.
In the story of Peter walking on water for a little while before sinking, we see a paradox in Jesus' response. He saves Peter, but he also asks him why he doubted. Jesus held Peter and his faith accountable for being able to do the impossible.
Jesus gives us the secret - doubt not in your heart. James echoes this in his letter. Notice the language James uses, it's a call back to Peter walking on water, but he applies it in a broader sense. I believe what James learned from Jesus" response that night in the boat changed how he operated in faith forever.
James 1:5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Doubt makes you unstable. Doubt makes you begin to sink. But faith keeps its eyes on Jesus and expects to experience life as it is in Christ's kingdom, right here on earth.
We can cultivate water-walking faith by eliminating doubt. As we do so, we will discover that the impossible becomes possible, and we can accomplish great things for the glory of God. Let us, therefore, trust in the power of the Holy Spirit and have faith in the promises of Jesus, who challenges us to step out of the boat and walk on water.
I hope you watch the full video, it will bless you and increase your faith!
Clint and Sara Byars
Forward Ministries
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