Text: Matthew 14:22-30
“Why Did You Doubt?”
Scripture Reading:
- Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24. and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28. “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29. “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31. Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32. And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Reflection:
My husband and I struggled for over a year to get to pregnant with our second child. We were told it probably wasn’t possible due to my age and my declining fertility. Yet, here we are. I’m pregnant with our second little one! And if you want to talk about doubt, I had so much. After three losses in a year, I am still surprised at every little wiggle I feel of our growing baby.
What a time we picked to have another baby! With the threat of an unpredictable virus plaguing the world and overtaking our healthcare system, I and many other women are looking at the possibility of delivering our baby alone. The thought of being alone during one of the scariest and most beautiful moments of my life gives me pause for so much doubt. I often feel guilty for doubting God, especially when He comes through for us in the end. Much like Peter, it’s too easy to let fear shake our faith and find ourselves sinking into the murky water. Even through Peter’s doubt, Jesus is compassionate and immediately catches him. At some point, we will climb inside the boat and the wind will die down and through it all we must know that God is with us, holding our hands, and catching us from sinking.
Prayer:
O God, we pray that we feel your hand lifting us out of our sinking doubt. We pray for those who are struggling to find answers to so many things. We ask that you will guide us through this storm. We pray for all of the sick to be healthy, the needy to be fulfilled, those whose minds are full of fear and we ask that you replace that fear with the faith that comes from knowing that you will calm the storm. Amen.
Focus for the Day: Doubt is human, know that God will catch you.