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Peter Looked Back, October 31
Matthew 14:23-33
O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Matthew 14:31
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Looking unto Jesus, Peter walks securely; but as in self-satisfaction he
glances back toward his companions in the boat, his eyes are turned from the
Saviour. The wind is boisterous. The waves roll high.... For a moment Christ is
hidden from his view, and his faith gives way. He begins to sink. But while the
billows talk with death, Peter lifts his eyes from the angry waters, and fixing them
upon Jesus, cries, “Lord, save me.” Immediately Jesus grasps the outstretched
hand, saying, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”
Walking side by side, Peter’s hand in that of his Master, they stepped into the
boat together. But Peter was now subdued and silent. He had no reason to boast
over his fellows, for through unbelief and self-exaltation he had very nearly lost,
his life. When he turned his eyes from Jesus, his footing was lost and he sank
amid the waves.
When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! We look upon the
waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Saviour. Our footsteps slide,
and the proud waters go over our souls. Jesus did not bid Peter come to Him that
he should perish; He does not call us to follow Him, and then forsake us....
In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,—
to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power. Amid the
storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should
rely upon the Saviour. It was on the point where he thought himself strong that
Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his
need of dependence upon Christ. Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to
teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great
test came upon him.
Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily
life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His
providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines
their victory or defeat in life’s great crisis
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50
Ibid., 381, 382
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322