Doubt

Tuesday at Ten

The word this week is DOUBT

 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

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.

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But 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?”

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Matthew 14: 22-32

Jesus withdrew by himself to pray. Beloved, do not miss this. When you have had a hard day do you find away to withdraw and get alone by yourself an pray?

There is no doubt this day had been a tiring day Jesus had just fed 5,000 people from two fish and five loaves. Later that night, Jesus was there alone and the boat was a considerably distance but Jesus decides to walk to where the disciples were. They were terrified yelling, “It’s a ghost,” and they cried out in fear. Jesus reassured them, “Don’t be afraid.”

Peter declares, “Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus gave him the permission to come. Peter steps out on the water but begins to doubt and he cries out to Jesus, “SAVE ME.”

Beloved, when things are difficult, what is Jesus saying to you?  Is he saying to you “Oh ye of little faith, why did you doubt?”  Are you helpless? He offers hope. Are you struggling? He offers strength. Are you worrying? He says to cast your burdens on him. We do not have to doubt him. He is there for us.

Peter reached for the hand of Jesus. He knew where his help came from and when they both were back in the boat, the wind died down. The group of men began to worship Jesus declaring that Jesus was the Son of God. Beloved, do you praise God when things are difficult? Do you simply say, Save Me? or do you keep your eyes off of Jesus and let them be filled with DOUBT. Oh how I hope not. We are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ who loves us . I know that I know that I know we serve an awesome God and we do not have to be afraid and doubt.