Devotional: Locked In Faith

Instantly Jesus reached out His hand and grabbed him, “You don’t have much faith” Jesus said, “why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:31

When you’re going through a storm in life, whether it be big or small, what do you focus on? Do you let fear and worry overwhelm you, or do you look to Jesus in faith, trusting He will take care of you? I was asking myself these questions this morning as I was reading through Matthew 14–the time Jesus walked on water to save His disciples who were caught up in a terrible storm on the Sea of Galilee.

It was the middle of the night. The disciples were out on a boat when suddenly a storm blew in. Wind and waves were raging and the disciples found themselves in trouble. But then, Jesus came to them. He was walking on the water, in the storm, coming to help. At first they were afraid, thinking maybe it was a ghost. “It’s all right,” Jesus said, “I am here! Don’t be afraid.” Matthew 14:27

Imagine for a moment that Jesus is walking up to you right now, with the wind and waves knocking you around, and he says the same thing. “It’s ok, don’t be afraid. I am here.” How does that make you feel? The mere thought of that gives me an incredible sense of relief (and frankly brings tears to my eyes). Who cares about this storm anymore, the wind and waves might still be crashing around me, but JESUS IS HERE. I’m locked in. He’s telling me not to be afraid and I trust Him.

Then you ask for even more assurance by testing His protection and asking Jesus to help you walk on the water–in the middle of the night, in a terrible storm. You’re asking Jesus for what seems impossible. That’s what Peter did.

Then Peter called out to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you by walking on water.”

“All right, come,” Jesus said. Matthew 14:28-29

Jesus gave Peter the power to do what seemed impossible.

Peter steps out of the boat, placing one foot after another on the water. The wind and waves are still there, but he’s filled with an incredible sense of power, excitement and joy. The storm doesn’t matter, it’s just him and Jesus, doing the impossible. He’s operating in faith.

But then Peter takes his eyes off Jesus and looks around. He focuses on the storm again and suddenly fear takes over. He starts to sink. It was trust and faith in Jesus that gave Peter the power to walk on the water in that storm. But the second His faith was pushed out by fear, Peter lost his power.

“But when Peter looked around at the high waves, he was terrified, and began to sink. Save me, Lord, ” he shouted.

Jesus reached out His hand and saved Peter from drowning.
And His response is profound: “You don’t have much faith. Why did you doubt me?”

How are you doubting Jesus today? How are you letting fear cut off the power of faith in your life? Are you focused more on the wind and waves, or are you locked in with Jesus? I’m asking myself these same questions and wondering how many times I’ve limited God’s power in my life because I focused more on the storm.

Let me encourage you today to talk to Jesus about these things. Don’t let the storm be bigger than your faith. And just like Peter did, ask Him to help you walk on water in whatever you’re going through right now. He’s right there with you, saying I’ve got you. Don’t be afraid. Will you trust Him?