Defeat Doubt by Knowing God
ICS Daily Devotions
Matthew 14:22, 25-27 (NKJV) Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away…. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
In the Old Testament, God is known as the Great I AM and the Almighty God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Nobody in the Old Testament has seen God. Their knowledge of God being the God with whom they had a covenant was passed down to them from their forefathers. Nonetheless, those who knew God, like David, Joshua, Caleb, Daniel, and many more, did many great exploits for God. Meanwhile, the twelve disciples got to know God for themselves through their time with Jesus. Similarly, all of us need to know God so we can walk by faith in Him.
Prior to this passage, the disciples had witnessed Jesus heal the sick among the multitudes and feed the five thousand by multiplying five loaves and two fish. Undoubtedly, their faith in God would have increased as far as healing and the provision of food were concerned. However, they still needed to be convinced of who Jesus is regarding the other aspects of their lives.
Jesus came to declare God to us, for we have never seen God with our naked eyes. Even though the disciples knew what Jesus looked like, when they saw Him walking on water, they were so afraid that they thought He was a ghost. Although Jesus is the exact image of the Father and His deity is undeniable, the disciples had to be convinced and be taught. Defying the law of gravity to walk on water is a miracle, and only God is above creation and can defy natural laws. Thus, the disciples were convinced that Jesus is the Son of God after witnessing Jesus walk on water and how He enabled Peter to do so and saved him from drowning. It was a way for Jesus to declare His deity to them.
Matthew 14:33 (NKJV) Then those who were in the boat came and worshipped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”
As New Testament believers, we are so privileged to have access to the whole counsel of God’s Word through the Bible, which is a progressive revelation of God. Like the disciples, we need to be convinced in our hearts that Jesus is God. Faith is developed through reading and listening to God’s Word because it helps us know God more deeply and defeat doubts so that we can have faith in God.
Sermon Series: Faith cannot coexist with Doubt
