A TEMPESTUOUS SEA
A Storm.
During the night, while Jesus was yet praying, a great storm arose, which stirred the lake into a seething mass of billows. From the mountain Jesus could see His disciples battling with the sea, but unable to make much headway, although they could not see Him.
When the ship was about thirty furlongs (four miles) from the shore, Jesus decided to go into it. It was now past midnight, and the disciples were still struggling in the midst of the heaving sea.
Jesus on the Water.
Imagine their fear when through the darkness they saw an object coming towards them on the waves! And when someone cried out, "It's a Spirit!" they were more frightened than ever.
"But straightway Jesus spoke unto them, saying. Be of good cheer; It is I; be not afraid."
At once, Peter spoke out, saying, "Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water."[[1]]
Peter's Faith.
"Come," said Jesus.
"And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus."
Peter, firm in belief and strong in determination, when your eye sees only the majesty of faith and the perfect manifestation of its power! Mighty and fearless when your eye sees only the glory of God, and your soul cries out to go to Him!
His Doubt.
But when you see "the wind boisterous," you are afraid; and beginning to sink, cry, saying, "Lord, save me."
So it is in life: when the winds of temptation and the waves of despair beat upon us, the eye of faith is turned more upon these raging elements than upon the Light of Life, the power of faith is thus weakened, and as Peter, we begin to sink. Too many, ah, too many go down beneath the billows; only a few cry out as he. "Lord, save us!"
And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, "O, thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"