Bible Devotions for Living

Do you doubt that God will enable you to do what He called you to do?

Remember Jesus calling Peter out to walk on water:

²⁵  … He (Jesus) came toward them walking on the sea … ²⁸ “Lord, if it’s You,” Peter answered Him, “command me to come to You on the water.” ²⁹ “Come!” He said. And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid. And beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!” ³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out His hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Mt 14:25-31)

Jesus called Peter out to walk on the water toward Him. Do you think Jesus commanded him to step out so he could watch Peter fail? Of course not! Jesus fully intended to enable Peter to do the impossible-walk on water and that is exactly what Peter did until his faith failed.

Faith vs. Doubt

When Peter sank, Jesus rescued him asking, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Jesus’ question directly contrasts faith with doubt. Faith and doubt do not mix well, and that’s why Peter sank.

⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (Jms 1:6-8 – ESV)

Peter got out of the boat in faith, but he didn’t continue to walk in faith.

Get Out of the Boat and Walk in Faith

God has given us general commands, like spreading the Gospel, loving other believers, and loving our enemies. He also has unique plans and jobs for each of us individually. The question is whether you are paying attention and willing to step out in faith and keep walking in faith instead of doubt.

You need to obey and not let doubts cause you to sink.

Does the task seem impossible? Are the circumstances against you? Are you afraid? Don’t doubt that God has empowered you to do what He told you to do. Trust Him, and don’t lean on your own understanding or abilities.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding…” (Pv 3:5)

Don’t allow doubts to squash your faith to do what you know God wants you to do whether it’s being a greeter at church, a Sunday school teacher, small group leader, evangelist, pastor, etc. Get out of the boat and obey and then don’t let doubts cause you to sink. Don’t doubt that God has empowered you to do what He told you to do.

Think about it

Do you step out in faith when the Lord lays something or somebody on your heart or do you ‘stay in the boat’?

Do you doubt that God will enable to do something He wants you to do? Why? Do you think He’s setting you up for failure?

While serving God, do you doubt that God will continue to enable you? Why do you think He would stop?

If God has called you to do something, He will empower you to do it.

I know that You can do anything and no plan of Yours can be thwarted. (Job 42:2)

“I assure you: The one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³ Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” (Jn 14:12-14)

The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me. (Ps 138:8)