From the desk of Pastor Ben
Divine Love: Peter and Jesus – Part 3

Immediately, Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”     (Matthew 14:31)

Peter’s love for Jesus was sincere, but he did not grasp the extreme nature of what he was about to attempt. Once he got out on to the water, the situation changed radically, he took his eyes off of Jesus, and he began to sink. Peter then could think of nothing else but drowning, and Jesus had to reach out and pull him up. The Lord then rebuked him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” But that would have been obvious to Peter. He was weary from rowing all night, frightened by the storm and what he thought was a ghost, and now, he’d almost drowned before reaching Jesus. Peter’s weak faith, bolstered by a genuine love for Christ, was better than no faith. At least he did not cower in the boat as the others did; rather he made an attempt to join his Master.

When we get frustrated, anxious, or frightened during trials, Satan tempts us to question God’s providence in allowing such difficulties. And if we focus on our circumstances rather than God, we will begin to sink just like Peter did. But our Lord’s abundant resources are available to us, just as they were for Peter.

Years later, he would write, “In this you greatly rejoice, even tough now for a little while . . . You have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”     (1 Peter 1:6-7)

Ask Yourself:
What advice do you often receive from. Those around you when life overwhelms you and the swimming is nearly impossible? If faithless people are too often in your ear, seek out those whose counsel and perspectives are laced with biblical principles. Keep your eyes focused on Jesus.