It was early morning on Lake Galilee.  The disciples were tired, having rowed against the wind through the night, when they were startled by a ghostly figure walking on the water near the boat.  Their cry of alarm was more than matched by Jesus' reassurance, "It is I. Don't be afraid!" (Matthew 14:22-27).  Peter, who was quick to respond, wanted to be sure that he was hearing and seeing rightly, so he challenged the misty figure to answer back.  He asked that if it was Jesus, then he would respond to a command to walk on the water. 
 
It was an extraordinary idea which few would have even imagined.  But perhaps, having just seen Jesus feed 5,000 families (Matthew 14:13-21), Peter had been prepared for this big challenge.  Jesus called Peter to get out of the boat and walk towards Him.  The fisherman obeyed and walked on water.  But as he travelled further from the boat, he saw the effect of the wind whipping up the waves.  Although there were only a few more steps until he reached Jesus, his faith faltered and fear took over.
 
After all that Peter had seen of the power in Christ's commands, why did he doubt the Lord's ability to keep him above the waves?  Why had doubt gripped him?  Instead of looking at his Master, Peter looked down.  He took in the significance of the turbulent water and realised that he might drown (James 1:6).  So he called out, in fear, "Lord, save me".  Jesus caught his hand as he was going down and lifted him up.  Peter was safe; but then had to face the reality that he was not a hero of faith at all.  While he was still being held, Jesus told him that his faith was very small.   

When we believe that the power of our circumstances is greater than the power of Christ, our faith will fail.  We cannot believe two opposite things at the same time.  Every spiritual doubt reveals that we have stopped focussing our faith on Jesus; we have lost confidence in the sovereignty of God.  Yet, it is through such faith-failures that we realise how weakly we trust Jesus.  They are important revelations which give us the opportunity to repent and trust again.  Faith is not being confident that you can follow Jesus, but that He will always keep His promises and sustain His people.  Use every faith-failure as an opportunity to repent in humility and be lifted up by God’s power (1 Peter 5:6).