Peter: Why Do You Doubt?

2/18/2020

We are currently, on Tuesday mornings, looking at seven different characters from God's Word.

We've looked at Abraham: God’s Powerful Promise to a Patriarch, Joseph: He Obeyed Quickly & Completely, Moses: Lifting the Hands of God’s Man, Moses & Aaron: The Leaders Punished, and David: An Acceptable Offering.

Today, we're looking at Peter: Why Do You Doubt? Peter is a fascinating character. I see so much of myself in Peter.

These characters are also featured in (Part Three: Days 21-27 Men of God Character Study) our Come and Gather: Family Time With God 27-day devotional. Or, what we lovingly refer to as Gather.

Today's theme is the protection and provision of the Savior, and our text is Matthew 14:22-33.

“Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him, saying to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’” (Matthew 14:31)

To feed over 5,000 people at one sitting is a fairly common occurrence in today’s world. To feed 5,000 people with only five pieces of bread and two fish is truly a miracle, and yet that is exactly what the Lord did on a hillside overlooking the Sea of Galilee.

Immediately following this event Jesus instructed His disciples to get into a boat and sail to the other side of the lake—a journey of about six miles.

Jesus then sent the people away and took some time to go and be alone with His Father in prayer. It was at that point that a significant trial came into the lives of the disciples and a valuable lesson was learned.

Have you ever felt like God sent you off all by yourself into the depths of a storm? As a child of God, is that really possible? While we may feel abandoned, let us not forget that wonderful promise of our Lord,

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

It was at the moment of greatest need and the point of greatest darkness, that Jesus appeared to the disciples as He came walking on the water. In the excitement of the moment, Peter asked permission to join the Lord on the sea. However, as he began to walk, he took his eyes off of the Lord and began to sink.

How often we are just like Peter! Just a few hours before he had seen over 5,000 people fed with a little boy’s lunch and now Jesus was walking on water in the middle of a storm and for a moment, Peter was thoroughly caught up in what God was doing to the point that he was participating in the miracle.

Unfortunately, Peter’s excitement and faith did not last. He took his eyes off of the One who was doing the work and began to focus on the situation instead of the Savior. If we are to live a victorious life in Christ, we must keep our focus; we must not forget the power and provision of the Savior in the midst of perilous times.

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Little Faith, Big God: Grace to Grow When Your Faith Feels Small

What if I told you God cares more about you than your performance? Let the ordinary people from Hebrews 11 show you how to live strong and finish well.

God expects spiritual growth to be a process. Do you? Hebrews 11 shows ordinary people who, by faith, pleased God. By exploring these biblical men and women who failed, got up again, and finished well, Little Faith, Big God will inspire you to persevere in your faith. Present-day stories and guiding questions invite personal reflection, application, and discussion.

"Delightful... I highly recommend Little Faith, Big God..." —Josh McDowell, Christian apologist and best-selling author of Evidence That Demands a Verdict

"Life is hard and at times, faith can be even harder. Yet, of all God's creations, we are the only ones called to live by faith. In Little Faith, Big God, Debbie helps reshape our perspective of the spiritual giants that have gone before us. She reminds us that while some stumbled under the weight of their trials, it didn't ruin their relationship with God, but actually helped to refine it! In this new study, Debbie takes us on a wonderful journey through the Bible and reminds us that 'impossible problems are no problem for a big God.'" —Amy Richissin, development officer, Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah

You may also be interested in checking out Peter: The Making of a Great Leader.

How do you keep your focus, recalling the power and provision of our Savior, in the midst of perilous times?

Come and Gather: Family Time With God published with permission
Pastor Jeremy Sweatt, Farmington Avenue Baptist Church, West Hartford, Connecticut

21 Comments

Barbara Harper link

2/18/2020 09:16:24 am

This is one of those lessons I wish we could learn once and then have forever. But I need frequent reminders to focus on Jesus rather than the circumstances.

Patsy Burnette link

2/18/2020 09:27:31 am

I wish that too, Barbara! Unfortunately, I need constant reminders.

Michele Morin link

2/18/2020 12:19:16 pm

Peter's relationship with Jesus gives me so much hope.

2/18/2020 03:55:47 pm

YES, Michele! I was just thinking that same thing! :)

Lisa notes link

2/18/2020 03:45:08 pm

Excited to see you get to Peter today. He's one of my favorites to learn from, I suppose because we so easily see both healthy and unhealthy traits to relate to. Yet he still did amazing things in the Kingdom.

2/18/2020 03:59:23 pm

There is a lot in Peter's character that I can relate to everyday—especially his lack of faith when faith was on the line! Peter and this father, and me —> “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)

Theresa Boedeker link

2/18/2020 10:39:21 pm

I can relate to Peter too. Forgetting what God has just done and getting my eyes off what I need to be focusing on. But I love that Jesus didn't get mad at Peter. He held his hand out and helped him to remember to focus on him.

2/19/2020 07:49:16 am

He is very relatable! I am so glad God wrote into His Word the stories of people like Peter, so that we could understand ourselves a little better, and so that we can see God's love for us in a different way. It's so refreshing!

Lauren Renee Sparks link

2/19/2020 09:05:49 am

I too find Peter so fascinating. Thank you for this.

2/19/2020 12:32:14 pm

Peter is fascinating, Lauren. So much we can learn from his example.

Susan Shipe link

2/19/2020 10:34:24 am

Focus and Balance = 2 key components to living victoriously!

2/19/2020 12:33:00 pm

So true, Susan! Thanks for sharing! :)

Debbie Wilson link

2/19/2020 05:31:59 pm

Patsy, I am afraid I share a lot in common with Peter. The Lord will answer a prayer or work something out in a way that shows His undeniable presence. Then, when the next hurdle comes, I forget. How gracious He is to keep patiently training us to focus on Him. Thanks for sharing my book too! Blessings to you!

2/19/2020 07:53:33 pm

We seem to have short memories sometimes—just like Peter. Happy to share your book! :)

Beth link

2/19/2020 06:08:46 pm

The story of Peter walking on water is one of my favorites from Scripture, Patsy! Although I don't know that I would be as brave as he was to ask for this miracle, I can certainly relate to his foot-in-mouth moments! Lol! And I love how you've tied this back to Jesus' intense time of prayer the night before. It's a good reminder about the need to pray as storms of life may erupt at a moment's notice! I'll be sharing!

2/19/2020 07:57:33 pm

I'm pretty sure, Beth, that I would never have hopped out of that boat in the first place! My faith is tinier than Peters! We always think of him sinking, but he had the faith to get out of the boat—that says a lot about his faith! Thanks for sharing!

Tea With Jennifer link

2/19/2020 10:28:04 pm

Thank you for the reminder to keep focused upon the Lord!

You're most welcome to join me in a cuppa at Tea With Jennifer,
Bless you,
Jennifer

2/20/2020 08:43:52 am

We need these reminders often, Jennifer. At least, I know I do!

Angela Johnson link

2/20/2020 10:43:12 pm

I really enjoyed this post. I have always found the story of Peter very interesting. When I take my eyes off Jesus is when I begin to sink. My everyday goal is to keep my eyes focused on Him.

2/21/2020 09:38:23 am

Thank you so much, Angela! Peter is a fascinating character. Keeping our eyes on Jesus should be an everyday goal for all of us! :) Praying it's mine today!!!

Donna Reidland link

3/2/2020 09:57:11 am

Patsy, I'm so thankful that Peter like the other disciples was so much like us. It truly does give us hope!

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