Why Did You Doubt?

Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

By Melanie Rigney

His leader shall be one of his own, and his ruler shall emerge from his ranks. He shall approach me when I summon him; why else would he dare approach me?—oracle of the Lord. You shall be my people, and I will be your God. (Jeremiah 30:21-22)

The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory. (Psalm 102:17)

Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But

James Tissot
via Wikimedia Commons

when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:29-31)

Piety

Lord, help me to believe, not doubt, in times of turmoil and stress.

Study

I read somewhere recently that men are more likely to find God in the moment while women are more likely to go back and look at past crises and joys and identify His work. I don’t know if that’s true for you, but it certainly is for me. I can point to so many points in the past—my move to northern Virginia, a stormy pastoral counseling session, a chance conversation about conferences—that now, I can so clearly see His hand. But today’s disputes with friends, Metro failures, and struggles to control my Starbucks intake—not so much. Oh, I know He’s there. Intellectually, I get that He always is. But sometimes, it seems to take being on the other side of those challenges to see His presence.

Like Peter, we find it easy to start on the journey toward the Lord. But when the wind blows—and sometimes, it doesn’t have to be all that strong—we get flummoxed. Peter at least had the faith to cry out for help, even though he lacked the faith to believe the Lord would prevent him from sinking. May we all move toward that faith in the present, not just celebrating when we see where the Lord worked in our lives in the past.

Action

Put aside your doubts in God’s ability to save you in a particular situation that’s be troubling you. Believe He’s got it covered.