Why Did You Doubt?

Scripture reading: Matthew 14:24-31

This passage of Scripture offers a valuable lesson on faith. It is a comforting passing because we see that Jesus has the power to calm the storms of life and has command over the impossible. On the other hand, it is a hard passage to swallow because it calls us to participate in the impossible.

Many sermons and articles have been written on the faith lessons associated with getting out of the boat. This article will focus on four words, “Why did you doubt?”

Doubt is easy and a very natural response to the storms of life. Doubt is possible because, when we follow the Lord, we believe in the unseen (John 20:29), but the storms of life are usually seen or felt. Believing that a God whom we cannot see can offer real help when the waves of the sea are churning wildly requires more faith than most of us have. But Jesus is Lord over the impossible. He opens doors and creates possibilities where all we saw was an impassable wall without windows or doors.

So we come to Jesus’ words, “Why did you doubt?”

About 5 years ago, I was praying about a particularly troublesome issue when I began to hear God’s voice say, “Am I enough?” At first, I resisted because I did not see God as being able to touch this need. Still, the voice persisted. At last, I felt God’s voice pressing me for a decision because to say that God is not enough is equivalent to denying Him entirely.

Again, 10 or 11 years ago after a job did not pan out the way I anticipated it would, I went through about 12 months of bitterness and wrestling with God. At the conclusion of that time, I made a promise that I would not make any career changes unless God made it clear, knowing full well that I had no idea how to define “clear.” Almost 3 years ago now, the Lord spoke softly to me to reveal something new over the horizon “two years out.” Not long after, my employment was getting difficult and almost unbearable. It took more strength than I had on my own to stay focused and resist running ahead of God to relieve myself of trying circumstances.

When we doubt, we deny the very essence of God. Indeed, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines doubt as “to be uncertain about (something), to believe that (something) may not be true or is unlikely, to have no confidence in (someone or something).”

Jesus is basically asking Peter, “Why do you not have confidence in Me?” If a friend tells you he will come help you move a heavy piece of furniture Saturday morning, do you doubt he will come? Would you tell him you doubted he would come? Don’t you think he might be offended, especially when he showed up on time?

In doubt, we believe something to be untrue more than we believe it to be true. If we deny that God can help us through the storms of life, then we deny God. We deny His active presence in our lives. We deny that He loves us and cares for our well being. We deny that what is written of Him in Scripture is true.

Above all, however, is that Jesus is insinuating in Matthew 14 that Peter had no reason to doubt. Jesus had not given Peter a reason. In fact, Jesus gave Peter all the reasons to believe! Still, Peter didn’t believe Jesus was bigger than the storm on the sea.

It is nearly impossible for us to believe with faith that God is capable of calming the storms in our lives. It is nearly impossible for us to believe we can conquer sin through salvation. Jesus actually helps us believe through faith. It is an unseen transaction, therefore, we tend to take faith for granted or dismiss that Jesus is behind our faith.

Jesus has compassion on us because we are human and knows we will sometimes fall prey to doubt just because of the enormity of our circumstances. This is why Jesus “immediately stretched out His hand.” Rebuke would come but only after Peter was rescued safely.

We have no reason to doubt unless we are prepared to deny God entirely. But when we are overwhelmed and stumble, Jesus is there with hand outstretched to rescue and gently bring us back to our feet where we can follow Him.