July 9

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 14:30-31.

THE Apostle Paul speaks of the great things which faith has done;-that it can enable us to enter a lion’s den, or to face a fiery furnace. Here we find it could lead a man to slip down the side of a ship and stand upon the bare water and walk there. But how long does this continue? Why, “when he saw the wind boisterous he was afraid.” What a sudden change! And such changes are common in the experience of believers. What transitions are there in a day, or sometimes in an hour, from light to darkness, from liberty to bondage, from hope to fear, and from joy to sadness! We seldom continue long in one state. But what was it that produced this change? Oh, it was looking at the storm, and not looking to Jesus: had he looked at him, he would not have thus trembled. Moses endured, how? “By seeing him who is invisible.” “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted unto him for righteousness.” And how did he act? He did not consider the difficulties that stood in the way of the accomplishment of the divine promise, but rested on the assurance itself. “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giviug glory to God, and being fully persuaded that what he had promised he was able to perform.”

Observe, while Peter thus trembled he cried out, “Lord, save me.” This is a proper prayer to be used by us in every emergency, and even in those afflictions which we bring upon ourselves. To whom in any of our distresses can we repair for succour, but to him who is “the consolation of Israel, the Saviour thereof in time of trouble”? Oh, let us beware of other expedients. Beware of infidelity, beware of worldly dissipation, but have recourse to him who is the great burden-Bearer, and who is always nigh, and always saying, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” It is well to observe to what our thoughts and desires first turn when we come into difficulties and distresses. Afflictions are designed to bring us to him in a way of prayer. But it is said of Asa, “He sought to the physicians, and not to the Lord.”

Observe, no sooner does Peter ask for help than he obtains it:-“and immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” And did he ever refuse any that sought him? Is he not more ready to hear than we are to pray? Is there a Christian to be found who has not had the promise verified,-“Before they call I will answer, and while they are yet speaking I will hear”? But, while he gives Peter his hand and helps him, he administers unto him reproof:-“O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Did I not tell you to come? Was not I by your side? This doubting of Peter’s does not refer to his eternal salvation, but to his sinking into the water; yet it will apply to the concerns of the soul and eternity. “When we doubt, let us reflect on the truth of God, as well as upon his kindness, and remember that we rob ourselves of great consolation in religion, and stability in the divine life, by giving way to doubts; for the Scripture says, “If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.”