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May 23, 2024 06:00am

Having a Solid Rock Faith

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The cart slowly makes its way up the track as it climbs the steep hill. Your heart is pounding. You take a few deep breaths trying to calm your nerves and slow your heart rate that has just risen to an extreme level.

What happened to that brave person who made the decision to ride this thing? You were all in when everyone else said “Let’s ride it!” No way were you going to miss this.

You were all in.

And now, you’re definitely all in – you couldn’t be more in, strapped tightly into this seat. You’re checking the belt across your waist and making sure the lap bar is as far down as it will go. Doubt, fear, terror flash through your mind as you begin to imagine the awful scenarios of what might happen because of your brave choice to ride this thing.

John 13:36-37
“Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.”

Jesus had just told His disciples that He was leaving and they would not be going with Him. They didn’t realize Jesus was talking about His death, burial and resurrection. They simply were doing what they had been for the last 3 years – they were committed to following Him anywhere.

One disciple decides to speak up. Bold, brave Peter. He confidently exclaims – I won’t just follow you, I’ll die for you!

All in. That’s Peter. The man with rock solid faith. In fact, remember, that’s the meaning of His name that Jesus gave him.

Peter = rock.

Who could have faith greater than a man willing to lay down his life for his Lord?

But that faith begins to wain. It’s on shaky ground. Jesus responds to his brave declaration.

“Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.”

The seemingly bravest out of the twelve, the one whom Jesus renamed to mean Rock, will not just run from danger, but will deny his own Lord to save his life?

Some faith, huh?

But wait.

Jesus is all-knowing. He proves that He knows what will happen. He shares that Peter will deny Him. But what He didn’t share was what Peter would go on to do.

Jesus knew everything about Peter and what decisions he would make. It’s why He gave him the name Rock.

Even though Peter would have a shaky start, he would go on to be one of the men that took the gospel to the world. He would speak boldly and bravely for God, telling the story of Jesus and what He had done. Peter would write several of the New Testament books, deliver great messages even in the face of persecution and danger, and even give his life as a martyr.

Peter had rock solid faith, but it sure didn’t start out that way, did it? He was no braver than us as we panic atop a roller coaster.

So, how do you get rock solid faith?

Look at what Peter wrote in 2 Peter 3:18. “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

Grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus.

Faith isn’t instantaneous. Salvation is, but our faith must grow and develop. We can have faith in God based on His truth. But we gain understanding as we study His Word, learn more about Him and the beautiful grace we have received. As we grow in our understanding of grace and knowledge, the strength of our faith becomes more and more secure.

Aren’t you glad Jesus sees you? Aren’t you thankful He sees what will happen? Can you imagine what He would have named Peter if He only looked at what was happening at the time? If you have put your faith and trust in Jesus, the Lord is always at work in your life. I’m thankful He sees our potential and not just the brave-faced little girl ready to jump on that rollercoaster.

He knows the ups and downs that will come in our lives, the twists and turns that can bring fear, pain, regret and doubt. But He knows the ending. And He’s right there with us every step of the way.

Grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.