Jesus said,

Why did you doubt? Matthew 14:31

The disciples are in a boat on the sea of Galilee. They see Jesus walking to them on the water. This frightens them. Peter says, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” Verse 28. 

Jesus says, “Come.” Simple answer to a simple request. Maybe God answers many of our prayers this way. But the answer is so simple we miss it? Maybe we do what Peter did. We respond with doubt. We notice Peter’s doubt began with his prayer…Lord, IF it is You… When you pray to God, don’t begin with doubt.

Peter’s doubt caused him to flounder. Sinking into the water, Peter’s next prayer is short, “Lord, save me!”

Now, that is a prayer of faith. We know because Jesus took Peter by His hand and helped him back into the boat. When you pray, expect God to answer. His way, not yours. We notice, of all the options open to Jesus to save Peter, He chose to put him back where he was…in the boat. Maybe we too often think God will advance us. When in fact, He puts us back to where we were; back but wiser.

The Greek word for ‘doubt’ is interesting. It means doubt, or waiver, or try to do two things at once. Maybe we are more like Peter when we step out by faith. We waiver. We try to trust God and the world at the same time. Like Peter, we can not walk by faith while holding on the boat, even mentally. At some point we have to let go and let God. 

If you doubt this read verses 34, 35 and 36 of Matthew 14. The people knew the Messiah would have healing in the hem of His garment, Malachi 4:2. So, they acted on faith and were rewarded with healing. Like Peter, they were saved by accepting help from Jesus.