"But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"
— Matthew 14:27-31
More from Matthew →📜 Today's Meditation
The disciples' boat rocks violently in the storm. In the darkness of night, with waves that never cease and wind howling fiercely, their hearts flood with fear. Then Jesus appears, walking upon the water. The disciples do not recognize Him and are seized with great terror. But then they hear His voice: "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid."
Peter hears Jesus's voice and finds courage. "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." Here lies Peter's faith. He believes in Jesus, convinced that if Jesus calls him, he can do the impossible. When Jesus says "Come," Peter steps out of the ship and walks on water. A miracle unfolds. What seemed impossible becomes possible through faith.
Yet Peter's faith wavers. Seeing the boisterous wind, fear returns. When doubt seizes him, his feet sink into the water. Is this not our own life? We believe in Jesus, yet facing the visible reality around us, we often falter.
But Jesus immediately stretches forth His hand and catches Peter. "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" Jesus's question is not harsh rebuke, but tender inquiry filled with love and care. Even when we are afraid and full of doubt, Jesus does not release us. When we cannot stand, Jesus holds us fast.
Our spiritual journey mirrors this. Sometimes we advance boldly in faith, yet sometimes we are shaken by fear. But what matters most is our yearning to grasp Jesus's hand through every moment. When doubt and fear threaten to swallow us, we cry out to Jesus: "Lord, save me!" And in that very moment, Jesus saves us.
🙏 Today's Prayer
O God, today too I live with many fears and worries. I believe in Jesus, truly, but facing what I see, I often waver and doubt. I confess my faith is weak. Through Peter's story today, You have shown me that even when I am afraid, even when I doubt, You will never let me go. Please hold my hand and guide me. O Jesus, save me each time I begin to sink, and strengthen my faith ever more! Under the leading of Your Holy Spirit, may my life bring glory to Your name. I pray all this in Jesus's name. Amen.