When Faith Falters

Maybe our desire to believe is enough for Jesus to work with. It is at least a beginning. It gives us a place in the boat with the others who are struggling to believe more and doubt less. It is in the boat that we find people who are listening for Jesus’ voice in the darkness. It is there that we find people willing to obey the call when it comes and take the risk of faith. And it is there that we find help when the seas of life threaten to overwhelm us. Maybe it is enough to offer up our little faith, praying with the epileptic in the gospel of Mark, "Lord, I believe, help Thou my unbelief (Mark 9:24)." When Peter was hauled out of the sea by the scruff of his neck, he fell grateful and exhausted onto the deck of the boat. Then Jesus climbed in behind him. Did you notice that? When Peter couldn’t come to Jesus, Jesus came to him and to all those waiting there in the boat. When we can’t walk to

Jesus, Jesus walks toward us and climbs into our life circumstances with us to bring the

help that we need. And like Peter Joni found the help she needed, in her moment of doubt

and fear. She wrote,

"The voice of my sister Jay finally broke through my panic. "Look up, Joni! Keep looking up!" Sure enough, as soon as I focused on my sister on the other side, I was able to regain my balance and finish the crossing."

And she concludes her story with reference to this event,

"That little story came to mind recently when I was reading about Peter in Matthew 14. It seems he had a similar problem as he walked on the water toward the Lord Jesus. He looked down at the raging waters, got dizzy, and lost his balance. Because he took his eyes off the Lord and put them on the swirling waves around him, he began to sink. How much we are like him! ...we let our circumstances almost transfix us,... We become dizzy with fear and anxiety And before you know it, we’ve lost all balance. It’s easy to panic, isn’t it? And admittedly, it’s hard to look up especially when you feel like you’re sinking. But my pony and I made it across the Patapsco and Peter made it back to his boat. Thousands before you, enduring the gale force winds of circumstance, have made it through keeping their eyes on the Lord Jesus!"

And as Peter and the disciples learned the lesson of faith and doubt, they also discovered the care and compassion of Christ; and they learned of the faithfulness and presence of God. The moment Jesus stepped into the boat, the sea became calm and the wind was stilled and everyone knew they were in the presence of the Almighty God. And they fell

down and worshipped him. They recognized the God who has promised them, and each and everyone of us.

[But now] thus says the Lord,

He who created you, O Jacob,

He who formed you, O Israel:

Fear not for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine;

When you pass through the waters I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

When you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.