Why did you doubt? Victory through faith in times of trial

We are all susceptible to doubts and fears. Life is filled with moments which require real courage and faith in God as we step out. Not knowing what the outcome may be. Possibly wondering if it is the right thing to even be doing? We are not called to walk this Christian life on our own, or without guidance, although it may feel at times that we are wandering aimlessly on our own.

Doubt is a ploy of Satan

Doubt is the very opposite to faith and is a ploy used by our enemy. Satan in the garden of Eden used doubt to cause Eve to disobey the one command which God had given.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’” The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! “— Genesis 3:1–3

Trust and obey

What do we do, in moments when our faith is being challenged? We have to go back to what we know to be true. For Eve victory would have come through obedience, by trusting God’s command.

Although Adam and Eve through their disobedience did not die physically at that moment, their relationship with God was affected by them being put out of the garden of Eden. Death through sin entered the world. Fellowship with God was broken. They eventually died.

When challenged, we too as Christians need to go back to the truth of God’s word to us, the Bible. Seek God with a humble heart and listen for His voice speaking to us through His word.

He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way. — Psalm 25:9

God’s word to us, is our anchor. To weather life’s storms.

Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away.

After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.

But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary.

And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea.

When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear.

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” — Matthew 14:22–26

These words from Jesus brought great comfort to His disciples. Who were in the midst of a storm. Jesus told them firstly, what to do — “Take courage”. Why — because, “It is I”. What not to do — “do not be afraid”.

“Take Courage, it is I”

It is not easy in the middle of life’s storm’s to be courageous but we are not expected to muster up some courage as simply a feeling, put on a brave face, and soldier on. The reason that we are to take courage can be seen in Jesus words which follow, “It is I”.

Jesus is present in the midst of our storms. For this reason we are called to “Take courage” remember God’s promises to us like, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.” — Hebrews 13:5.

We see a similar encouragement given to Joshua just before He was to take the promised land.

“Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. — Joshua 1:7

These words to Joshua were no doubt the anchor for His soul as he led the children of Israel in their many battles, to take the promised land. The reason to be strong and courageous, was to obey God’s every word. It takes courage to obey.

Jesus is the captain of our life and will steer us through life’s storms, as we purpose in our hearts to trust Him.

“It is I; do not be afraid”

They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?”

He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” — Genesis 3:8–10

Adam and Eve had sinned and hid themselves from God in fear. We are unable to be courageous when, we are not in right standing with God. But we do not need to hide from God if we have sinned, we simply come humbly before him and confess our sin.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. — 1 John 1:9

Being in right relationship with God from the heart, is vital to the walk of faith. When we are living with the right fear of God, in other words we respect Him and His word to us, we experience the peace and strength through His Holy Spirit.

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death. — Proverbs 14:27

Peter responded and said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” — Matthew 14:28

Victory through Faith

After hearing the words of Jesus. Peter went from being paralysed by fear one moment. To then through obedience, filled with courage, fears vanquished, prepared to step out in faith, against all natural human judgment and defy the laws of nature by walking on water in complete reliance on Jesus’ word to him, “Come!”.

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. — Romans 10:17

While our focus is fixed on God. His instruction to us. When we through the eyes of faith, are able to see life from God’s perspective. Through faith we have the victory.

Such was Peter’s faith that it was not enough for him to remain in the boat, he wanted to join Jesus. But he was wise to first ask Jesus if he could join Him.

We too need to pray. Asking God. Before we act.

We would do well to ask like Peter; Lord, if it is you? Before we make decisions. We need to be sure that when we step out in faith we are doing so by God’s leading. But how, you may ask?

God will never instruct us to do anything which goes against His word, so we need to be in the scriptures, daily seeking instruction. While God’s word does not tell us what exactly to do in each and every circumstance of life, the principles of God’s word light the way before us.

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. — Psalms 119:105

We do not look for sign’s but through pray and searching His word we can find direction. Let us ask God for wisdom so that when we step out, we are doing so by faith, in good conscience.

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:6

And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” — Matthew 14:29b-30

Lord, save me!

While Peter’s focus shifted from Jesus to the wind and the storm around him, he was afraid and began to sink. We know from scripture that Peter could swim but under the circumstances, he recognised his own inability to save himself, his only hope was in Jesus to save him.

This is the experience of every true believer, when we recognise our complete inability to save ourselves we can only but cry out, Lord, save me!

It is God’s purpose for His children to continue to walk by faith. Testing and strengthening of our faith is a vital part of Christian living. Jesus himself encouraged His disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of Him knowing that He teach them a valuable lesson through the storm they would encounter.

How reassuring to know that God is at work in and through the storms of our life. But, if we doubt we can cry out to Him.

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. — 1 Peter 1:6–7

Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” — Matthew 14:31

Jesus Saves

As a loving father would reach out his hand to his children, so Jesus takes Peter’s hand and deliver’s him in his time of need.

But also, the hand a figure in scripture, when applied to God symbolises — His might, activity and power. Jesus is still working today. He has the power to save the sinner who believes in Him.

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. John 1:12

He also is ready to respond to anyone one of His children, who would cry out to Him in time of need.

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

You of little faith, why did you doubt?

What an indictment against Peter, “You of little faith…”

By stark contrast we see an example of great faith when the centurion pleaded with Jesus to come and heal his servant. Jesus said to him “I will come and heal him”. But the centurion said to Jesus:

“Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed.

“For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”

Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel. Matthew 8: 8–10

As we consider the difference between the example’s of little faith and great faith, we see that in both the object and focus of their faith was Jesus. However in the case of the centurion he did not doubt Jesus’ ability but trusted him fully recognising His authority.

Conclusion

Has God ever failed you? Is your circumstance too hard for God to resolve? The answer is emphatically, No! Turn your focus therefore from the storm towards God. Ask Him for help believing that, nothing is too difficult for God.

For we walk by faith, not by sight. — 2 Corinthians 5:7

When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!” Matthew 14:32–33