“Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” – Matthew 14: 31-33
It has been said that if you don’t know where you are going, you will always get there. Various forms of navigation have been used for years. Perhaps the most notable Biblical example is the star over Bethlehem.
I remember when I was going through flight training, my instructor said that no matter what my instincts tell me, always trust the instrument guidance system. After time had passed I remember when I was in very deep and thick clouds that I couldn’t see the wing tips. I wasn’t sure of up from down or left from right. My instincts told me to do one thing, but my instruments told me another. I followed the instruments precisely and was able to fly through the storm safely.
Life is like that. The world is full of advice on the direction of our lives, but often the Bible tells us something else. The Bible is the real guidance system of life. Yet the tug and pull of life is so strong which can so easily draw us off course.
Have you ever wavered in your belief that God would bring you through? Why? When you were seriously short of money… When the diagnosis shook your being… When people and relationships failed you… When the promise of your career tanked… Why did you doubt?
Crossing a stormy Sea of Galilee late at night, the disciples are afraid. Jesus comes to them, walking on the water. They think they are seeing a ghost, but then they realize it’s Jesus! Peter asks to walk out to Jesus. As he begins to step out of the boat and walk on water, he begins to sink from fear of the wind and waves. “Lord, save me!” and Jesus pulls Peter out of the water. Then Jesus asked, “Why did you doubt?”
“Before they call, I will answer; while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24)
You who are redeemed for heaven, God knows your circumstances. He knows when you think you’re going down, whatever the cause may be. He is already working on your deliverance and already knows the day of your eternal deliverance. Like Peter, the disciples come sooner or later to see the hints that God was indeed reaching down to save you. It’s then, when we start to get it, that He invites the introspective look back, “Why did you doubt?” We see God from behind. The more we look back at the times He’s delivered us, the more we’ll trust that He will save us in the present, even if we don’t yet see it happening.
Trust in God alone and you will never get off course.
By John Grant
Used by Permission
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney