Looking at the Waves

The text

And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 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? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

Matthew 14:22–33 KJV

At a glance

Summary of the sermon

This companion sermon on faith examines Peter's collapse after a brave beginning. Lloyd-Jones makes a telling observation: nothing new happened after Peter stepped out of the boat. The wind had been boisterous before Christ appeared, and Peter had already reckoned with the waves when he asked to come. His trouble was entirely internal — 'little faith' giving way to doubt.

He then draws a portrait of the 'Peter temperament': energetic, impulsive, decisive, quick to speak and to act; prone to great heights and sudden depths; and apt to fail at the very point of natural strength. From this he develops a doctrine of doubt. We frequently manufacture our own doubts, as Peter did by looking at the waves. Doubt can coexist with true faith, but persistent doubting is a sign that faith is small. The antidote is not a stronger feeling but a larger faith, rooted in real knowledge of who Christ is and what He has done.

Two practical counsels follow. Refuse afterthoughts: to reopen a question already settled before God is folly, and the enemy loves nothing better. And keep looking at Him: faith is a daily dependence on Christ, like the manna gathered fresh each morning, not a living off some past experience. The final comfort is that when Peter did begin to sink, the hand of Christ was there immediately.

Key points

• No new danger arose after Peter stepped out — the failure was internal.
• Impulsive, decisive temperaments are especially liable to spiritual highs and lows.
• We often create our own doubts by re-examining what was already settled.
• Doubt and faith can coexist, but persistent doubt shows small faith; the cure is fuller knowledge of Christ.
• Keep looking at Christ daily rather than living on a past experience; His hand is ready when we sink.

Illustrations the preacher uses

• Peter's pattern of bold declarations followed by failure — the denial, and the incident at Antioch in Galatians 2.
• The manna that had to be gathered fresh every day.
• Toplady's hymn on the work God has begun being carried on to completion, quoted alongside Philippians 1:6.

Related Scripture

• John 21:15–19
• Galatians 2:11–14
• Philippians 1:6
• John 8:31–32
• Jude 24–25
• Hebrews 12:2

For reflection and discussion

1. What is your own point of natural strength, and could it also be your point of spiritual vulnerability?
2. Can you recall reopening a question you had already settled before God? What was the result?
3. What daily practices help you keep looking at Christ rather than relying on a past spiritual high?