Why Did You Doubt?

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 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 14:28-32)

Whenever Jesus asked a question, He had a pretty good reason behind it.

This question was no different.  Peter was in big time trouble; he almost drowned. Jesus decided to do a little “debrief” of the situation:

“Why did you doubt?”

The implication was fairly obvious:  Peter didn’t have an acceptable answer.  Peter was in the presence of the all-powerful Son of God.  He was absolutely safe.  His doubt was that he really wasn’t sure whether God really had His act together, wasn’t sure that God really knew what He was doing as far as his life was concerned, just maybe would let something slip or really didn’t care for him that much.

“Why did you doubt?”

Of course, it’s easy to say one of two things:  (1) Oh, I would have more faith I wouldn’t have doubted or (2) No one could have had faith under those circumstances.

I rather think that both of those answers miss the mark. 

“Why did you doubt?”

I’ve never had to trust Jesus while walking on water.  But I’ve doubted Him in plenty of things of much less importance.  Is the test going to come out ok?  Will we find the right church?  Can we make the right decision about this?  Can I heal the relationship with this person?

“Why did you doubt?”

As a matter of fact, I’m not sure of anytime that I’ve blown it, anytime that I’ve gotten myself in trouble when I haven’t doubted God’s goodness, God’s love, and God’s plan and power.  It is doubt that causes me to choose my own way instead of His way.

“Why did you doubt?”

Jesus is asking me that question.  O Lord, grant me the grace to trust You enough so that question becomes a thing of the past.