The Apostle Peter has literally “stepped out on faith” based on a single Word spoken from the darkness of a Sea of Galilee storm by a man named Jesus of Nazareth. His life hanging in a one-word balance, Peter is walking into history. As he made his way toward the form in the distance he could not hear the roaring of the sea and the wind that was playing havoc with the small boat his companions were clinging to. The voice of his Lord was drowning out all other sounds. That voice was the basis of all faith. Peter had grasped onto that voice and had received faith in full measure–the same measure of the One who had uttered the Word “Come.”

But as Peter approached his Master something happened. Suddenly he saw the waves and heard the sound of the storm which were telling him two, more intellectually believable “truths”: 1) he could not take Jesus at His Word and 2) he was about to die. Intellectual reasoning had drowned out the voice of the Lord.

Peter was not the first one to hear the “voice of reason.” Eve had heard it in the Garden of Eden. The Children of Israel had heard it at Mt. Sinai. In both cases God (Jesus in His pre-human form) had spoken audibly to His people. Both parties (Israel and Peter) had believed what He said. But when temptation came both parties “came to their senses” and realized that their powers of reason far outweighed the Words of the God Who created them and everything else in the universe. Human reason, they quickly determined, was the way to go. The rest is history.

Envision this scenario as it plays out on the pages of the Holy Bible. Peter has walked a considerable distance on top of a stormy sea. He is now within arm’s reach of Jesus Christ who has been awaiting his arrival. Suddenly the “truth” of his (Peter’s) situation hits him. His faith instantly disappears and he begins to sink. Realizing what he has done, he once again expresses his faith in his Lord by asking Him for help. Jesus takes his hand and pulls him up so that he is once again standing on the surface of the stormy sea. Jesus’ Words to Peter lets us all know what level of faith He commands of us: “O YE OF LITTLE FAITH ….” What??? LITTLE FAITH??? PETER HAD WALKED ON WATER!!! HE HAD EXHIBITED THE SAME LEVEL OF FAITH AS JESUS CHRIST!!! But then he had doubted that same Jesus Christ. He had concluded that he could not trust Him. But all was not lost. Peter’s faith returned, prompting Jesus to lift him up and he walked with Jesus back to the boat.

One would believe that, following this episode, Peter would never again doubt the Words of the Messiah. But a later test would show Peter once again doubting Jesus’s Words in a temporary fall from faith, causing him to have ears that could not hear. We all know the story of Peter’s prideful pronouncement that, though all of his fellow disciples might deny Jesus, he would not. In fact, he would embrace death before he would deny Him. Hours later Peter would deny three times that he even knew who Jesus was. He had no idea who that Stranger was. Recall that earlier he had said to that same Stranger: “…, You have the Words of life,” and, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

We all are subject to momentary lapses of faith. When that happens we need to remember Peter and, fixing our ears on the Words of the Master, reach up to Him, grasp His hand and allow Him to restore our faith, THEN WALK WITH HIM. Can two walk together unless they agree? (Amos 3:3). There is only one way to walk with the Lord–STUDY HIS WORD AND WALK ACCORDINGLY. Study It with a totally open heart. Lay aside everything you have been told about that Word. Ask God to show you His Truth and to give you the humility to believe it. He cannot resist such a spirit. FAITH WILL COME. L.J.