“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Matthew 14:31
Each rung of the ladder carried us higher until finally, we reached the top platform of the fire watch tower. The moment I stood up and looked around, I knew I had made a terrible mistake.
Understand that life in Texas was relatively FLAT. The landscape was flat. The homes in our area were single-storied – flat, and built on a concrete slab. My school was one story – one flat level that stretched far from one end to the other. Flat, low-to-the-ground is what I was accustomed to.
When I stood up straight on the fire watch tower looking out over The Ozark’s forested mountains, I was HIGH. Higher than I had ever been in my eight-plus years. I began to sway, my stomach began to churn, and I dropped face-down, sprawled flat on the platform with a hysterical wail that I couldn’t manage to silence.
A second wail joined mine. From the corner of my eye, I saw that my younger sister lay face-down alongside me on the floor of the watch tower platform. (such a copycat!)
I realized two things at that moment: one, I was deathly afraid of heights and, two, there was no way I would ever be able to climb down that long ladder to return to the safety of FLAT. I was resigned, I would die on the watch tower platform.
Minutes passed like hours, then I felt two strong arms take hold of me. My Daddy had me and I knew I was going to be okay. I squeezed my eyes even tighter and didn’t open them until my feet touched FLAT. I can’t tell you how Daddy got Shellye and me down the long ladder. I didn’t care. All I knew was that he did and that was all that mattered. I could trust Daddy to take care of me.
Here’s the thing, when I was in such a panic at the top of the fire watch tower, my dad was there. I knew he was there, but all I focused on was how scared I was. It wasn’t until I gave up, knowing that I wasn’t going to be able to get back to FLAT by myself, that Daddy was able to step in and take over.
Peter, one of Jesus’ first-called disciples, has always held a special place in my heart. His exuberance and outspoken declarations were often inappropriate but always genuine and honest, he wore his humanness and his heart on his sleeve, and when he failed, he did it in a big way.
In Matthew 14, Jesus sent the disciples across the Sea of Galilee to the other side, while He stayed behind for a time of private prayer. In the wee hours of the morning, as Peter and the other disciples battled stormy waters, they saw a figure walking on the water through the pounding waves. When they realized that it was Jesus, Peter called out, “LORD, if that’s You, call me to come out to You.” Jesus did and Peter stepped out of the boat into the waves.
For a few moments, with his eyes on Jesus, Peter walked on the water towards Jesus. Then he looked around and saw the furious storm, felt the waves washing over him and the force of the raging wind. With his eyes off of Jesus, Peter realized he was just Peter – he couldn’t walk on water, and he couldn’t battle the storm. Peter began to sink.
Peter let out a wail, “LORD, save me!”
Then Jesus reached out His mighty arm and took hold of Peter, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Jesus and Peter returned to the boat, and the storm and the wind stopped immediately.
How often do we take our eyes off of our LORD and Savior to focus on our stormy situation?
How often do we let the waves of our problems, hurts, and anxieties wash over us, threatening to take us under?
How often do we allow the raging winds of our circumstances to knock us off our feet and push us away from the loving arms of our Father?
How often do we forget that our LORD is and HAS BEEN with us through the entire situation?
Where’s our TRUST?
After all that GOD has done for us. After all that HE has faithfully brought us through. After all that HE has provided when we thought there was no hope. The words of Jesus should pierce our hearts.
“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Matthew 14:31
GOD never forsakes the one who puts her trust in Him.
“And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
Trust GOD in your times of fear and anxiety.
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In GOD, whose word I praise, in GOD I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”Psalm 56:3-4
GOD is for you – HE can be trusted in all things.
“This I know, that GOD is for me. In GOD, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, in GOD I trust; I shall not be afraid.” Psalm 56:9b-11
GOD invites us to pour out our hearts, our hurts, our sorrows, all of our brokenness – pour it all out on the altar of prayer. TRUST GOD. HE is our perfect refuge and safe place.
“Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; GOD is a refuge for us. Selah” Psalm 62:8
When your circumstances have made your world a very dark place, trust your Savior and LORD, and rely on your GOD. HE is our light in the darkness.
“Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of His servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his GOD.” Isaiah 50:10
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and HE has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2
“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:4