When Fear Becomes Faith

N.T.#168 "When Fear Becomes Faith"

Oct. 19, 2023

Matthew 14-Part 11

LET IT GLOW

Impulsive Peter got out of the boat during high wind and high waves. He had recognized Jesus' voice when He told him to come. It took courageous faith for Peter to have an extraordinary experience with Jesus. Was it a hard decision for Peter? After all, he had seen first-hand Jesus multiplying the fish and bread to feed around 20, 000 people. And then Peter saw Jesus walking on the rough water, why couldn't he do the same? And Peter did just that, walking on the water for a few seconds or minutes, however long it lasted before Peter took his eyes off Jesus. 

But when he saw the wind boisterous (mighty; powerful; strong), he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. (verse 30)

Peter's faith wavered when he looked at the waves, and fear set in. We may be walking through tough situations, storms cause us to feel like we are going under, or we are just maintaining. Then we realize we can't do it alone, throw up our hands in surrender, and call out to the Savior to save us. Do we turn to Jesus in our time of trouble? 

LET IT GROW

Immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught (seize, hold up, take hold of) him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (verse 31)

This miracle was brought to Peter by Jesus' power, not Peter's power. Immediately Jesus responded to Peter's cry for help. Jesus rebuked him for having little faith, not for having no faith. When Peter began to sink, he knew where to turn for help. The wind ceased when Jesus caught hold of Peter, took him into the boat. 

I wonder what the other disciples thought during this event. Were they tempted to join Peter? Did they think how foolish Peter was to get out of the boat? 

Why would Jesus allow His followers to go through this? The disciples worshiped Jesus and declared, Truly you are the Son of God! (verse 33)

With each new encounter, Jesus increased their understanding and deepened their experience of Him. By God's grace, they had been given an opportunity, through fearful circumstances, to come to know Jesus at a deeper level and worship Him. He is the sovereign Son of God who exercises power over all things, wants you to discover that He's bigger than your fears, and invites you to praise Him. (Tony Evans)

Slowly but surely, the disciples were coming around. Yet, they couldn't fully grasp that God the Son had become human-true God and true man in perfect unity in one person. 

Have you grasped it? God came down to earth in the for of a human so He could be the perfect sacrifice for us, our sins, paying the price for our sins so we did not have tor be punished for them. Such love!

The Lord will work out His plan for my life-for Your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. (Ps. 138:8 NLT)

LET IT GO

Jesus, You came through when I needed rescued. 

Help us let go of fear and turn to the Faithful Savior.

Help us let go of the world and hold onto You, Jesus.