What Old Testament stories parallel the lesson in Matthew 14:31?

◄ Old Testament stories like Matthew 14:31? ►

“Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. ‘You of little faith,’ He said, ‘why did you doubt?’”

The Same Lesson Echoing through the Old Testament

• God places His people in situations where the only solution is trust in Him.

• Doubt shrinks the heart; faith stretches it.

• Even when faith falters, the Lord still reaches out to rescue.

Abraham and Sarah: Trusting a Promise that Looked Impossible

• Genesis 18:13-14—“Then the LORD said to Abraham, … ‘Is anything too difficult for the LORD?’”

• Parallel: Peter knew walking on water was impossible; Abraham and Sarah knew childbearing at ninety and one hundred was impossible.

• Lesson: Doubt asks “How?”; faith answers “Nothing is too hard for the LORD.”

Moses at the Red Sea: Fear Meets a Pathway

• Exodus 14:13-14—“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the salvation of the LORD.”

• Exodus 14:31—“Israel saw the great power … and they believed in the LORD.”

• Parallel: Wind-tossed sea for Peter; wall-to-wall sea for Israel. God made a way, proving that faith is justified.

Israel at Kadesh-barnea: Missing the Promise through Doubt

• Numbers 14:11—“The LORD said to Moses, ‘How long will this people despise Me? How long will they not believe in Me?’”

• Parallel: Peter’s momentary doubt cost him a soaking; Israel’s sustained doubt cost them forty years.

• Lesson: Chronic unbelief turns short-term tests into long-term detours.

Gideon: Signs for a Fearful Heart

• Judges 6:12-16, 36-40—multiple fleeces laid out because Gideon struggled to believe.

• Parallel: Both Gideon and Peter needed tangible assurance. God graciously supplied it, yet still challenged their hesitation.

Elijah after Carmel: From Triumph to Trembling

• 1 Kings 19:3-4—“He was afraid, and … requested that he might die.”

• Parallel: Like Peter sinking after a miraculous walk, Elijah spiraled right after calling fire from heaven.

• Lesson: Yesterday’s victories do not guarantee today’s courage; fresh faith is needed each morning.

Jonah: Running, Sinking, and Rescued

• Jonah 2:5-6—“The waters engulfed me… but You, O LORD my God, brought my life up from the pit.”

• Parallel: Both men literally went under the waves; both were lifted by sovereign mercy.

• Lesson: The Lord’s hand reaches deeper than our disobedience and doubt.

Jehoshaphat: Eyes Fixed on God in Overwhelming Odds

• 2 Chronicles 20:12—“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

• Parallel: Stormy lake or invading armies—faith locks eyes on the Lord, not the threat.

• Result: God fought for Judah; Christ steadied Peter.

Threading the Stories Together

• God initiates: He speaks, parts seas, provides signs, or extends a hand.

• Humans hesitate: fear, questions, or outright refusal.

• Rescue follows: not because faith is flawless, but because God is faithful.

• The call remains: “Why did you doubt?” Trust turns tests into testimonies.