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Classic Illustrator
"'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'" (Matt 14:31 NIV)
We had just arrived in Fortune, Newfoundland, home of our next campground. We were tired from the trip down from St. Johns, and we weren't sure just where the campground was located. We had been told roughly where to find the RV Park, and as we arrived in the general vicinity, my wife slowed down in order to be able to better search the side of the road for the entrance sign. Suddenly she screeched to a halt, pulling the car and trailer onto the side of the road. "I just missed the campground!" She exclaimed. I looked over my shoulder, and there was the sign, about 50 meters behind us: Trailer Park Fortune. It was clearly visible from our current position, though I will admit that it was somewhat hidden by trees in the direction we had been driving in! What to do?
Now, to veteran RV-ers, this likely wouldn't have posed much of a problem. But our mere three weeks of experience in pulling a tent trailer hardly qualified us as "veterans", especially when driving in the reverse direction! In fact, from previous experience we knew beyond a doubt that as long as one of us was at the wheel, backing up those 50 meters would put the trailer (and most likely the van with it!) into the ditch! And of course the two-lane road was far too narrow to consider turning around, and there hadn't been any turn-outs from the road in 200 km.
I stepped out of the car, praying for guidance. Then I heard the Lord tell me: "Up ahead about a hundred meters you will be able to turn around." Then I did what most in my shoes would do: I went to check it out! I wanted to be sure that what the Lord had told me was true!
And sure enough, just ahead and right in the middle of nowhere was a gravelled parking area to our right! I waved to my wife to drive on, and five minutes later we were happily setting up camp.
My rebuke wasn't too long in coming:
"Why did you doubt Me?"
"But Lord I didn't doubt you!" (Does this sound familiar or what?)
"Why did you have to check out if what I told you was true? Why did you have to go and 'see' for yourself if there was a place to turn around?"
Touché! Why did I check it out? Didn't I have the necessary faith to believe that God's Word is always true? Hadn't I experienced how trustworthy my Lord is over and over again? Why hadn't I told my wife to drive another 100 meters and we would be able to turn around? Why hadn't I acted out in faith? That same evening while I was praying, the story of Peter walking on the water came to my mind. The Lord said: "Watch Peter's reaction when he discovered that it was Jesus walking on the water."
"'Lord, if it's you,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on the water.' 'Come,' he said." (Matt 14:28-29 NIV)
Wow! What faith! If Jesus gave him permission to do so, Peter had no doubt he could walk on water. He knew he was in God's will and his stroll on the water was a breeze until…
"But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'" (Matt 14:30 NIV)
He saw the circumstances around him, the storm. He realized that conditions were not too favorable for a leisurely stroll on the water! He began to sink. (Tell me, is it harder to walk on water with or without a storm?)
But didn't he do the right thing to cry for Jesus' help?
Sure enough. Jesus immediately rescued him, but notice the rebuke:
"'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'" (Matt 14:31 NIV)
Peter? Doubt? Hadn't he done all the necessary steps that any believer would do? He waited to know he was in God's will before acting. When in trouble he asked Jesus to help him out. Weren't his actions according to the Book?
Yes, they were. But there was still a missing element: faith.
But wasn't he demonstrating faith when he stepped out of the boat onto the water?
Sure, but only for as long as the circumstances seemed favorable to him. Faith goes beyond circumstances. It depends solely on our Lord and Savior.
Why is my faith so shallow? Why do I let circumstances dictate my relationship with my Forever friend? Shouldn't I let Jesus be my guide and anchor of faith in all of my circumstances, even if there hasn't been a place wide enough to turn around in 200 km?
The beauty of this story is that Peter was forgiven, and Jesus continued to love him as one of his closest friends. The same is true for me and for you. With a friend like Jesus, we don't need to despair. Not even when circumstances cause you to doubt from time to time. You can depend solely on Him in ALL things. Don't let circumstances dictate your life. Come to Jesus and ask for His help. He sure knows what is best for you. He is author and finisher of our faith. All you have to do is believe what He tells you!
Did YOU miss the turnoff? Don't worry about it!
Rob Chaffart
Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
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