“Why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31)
Why did you waver in your trust that God would bring you through? When you were seriously short of money… When the diagnosis shook your being… When people and relationships failed you… When the promise of your career tanked… Why did you doubt?
Crossing a stormy Sea of Galilee late at night, the disciples are afraid. Jesus comes to them, walking on the water. First they think it’s a ghost but realize it’s Jesus! Peter asks to walk out to Jesus. He starts out but begins to sink from fear of wind and waves. “Lord, save me!” and Jesus pulls Peter out. Then Jesus asked today’s question, “Why did you doubt?”
Please notice the tense. “Did” is past tense. “Why did you doubt?” Jesus didn’t crow over Peter’s lack of faith, “Why do you doubt?” present tense. No, Jesus first began to save Peter. “‘Lord, save me.’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him.” (Matthew 14:30-31) It was only when Peter knew from his circumstances that he was being saved, that Jesus then said in effect, “Peter, now that you know you’ll be safe, let’s analyze what happened. Why did you doubt?”
“Before they call, I will answer; while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24) You who are redeemed for heaven, God knows your circumstances. He knows when you think you’re going down, whatever the cause may be. He is already working your deliverance and already knows the day of your eternal deliverance. Like Peter, disciples come sooner or later to see the hints that God was indeed reaching down to save you. It’s then, when we start to get it, that He invites the introspective look back, “Why did you doubt?” We see God from behind, and the more we look back at times He’s delivered us, the more we’ll trust that He will save, even if we don’t yet see it happening.
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