Day 5 – Take Another Step

Matthew 14:31

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

Have you ever been unable to sleep because of the storm raging in your mind? The disciples have too, except it was a literal storm keeping them awake. One sleepless night, they were on the sea; it was just before the dawn, dark, and the boat was fighting heavy waves. Jesus appeared, walking towards them on the waves, and he called out to Peter, “Come.” (Matt 14:29)

Peter took the first step, he climbed out of the boat and walked on water. For Matthew to record that Peter ‘walked on water’ (Matt 14:29) means most likely Peter took multiple steps, not just one. Multiple steps of faith, steps full of belief, steps of trust in His Lord. But there came a point when taking another faith-filled step became difficult.

“But when he saw the wind, he was afraid.’ (Matt 14:30)

Peter had taken his eyes off Jesus. Jesus questioned him, ‘why did you doubt?’ (Matt 14:31) As followers of Jesus, we too can take faith steps in our lives, but there comes a point where taking another step becomes difficult. We notice the logic, reason and sense crying out to us, ‘this is crazy.’

Today, Jesus asks us the same question he asked Peter. With that situation we’ve been believing for, with that mountain we are yet to see move, with that promise that is still to be fulfilled, ‘Why did you doubt?’

We need to keep our eyes fixed on our Lord, His Word and His promises, without being distracted by the doubt the enemy would love us to focus on. Wind will come, our footing will seem unstable, but our God calls us to take new ground, to keep taking faith steps, to keep walking towards Him.

What are the areas you have once taken faith steps in, but for whatever reason, have taken your eyes off Christ? Friend, it’s time to step out of the boat again. Remember we serve a mighty, powerful God - even the wind and waves obey Him.

Family Discussion Questions

1. What things cause you to struggle to fall asleep?

2. If you were in a boat, would you step out of it to walk towards Jesus?

Response – Reflect & Act

Take some time before bed to reflect on God’s promises in your life. Read a psalm, meditate on a verse of scripture. Then spend some time in prayer and give God all your cares and worries