Oh We Of Little Faith

-March 14, 2022-

Good morning, happy Monday,

“And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’”

(Matthew 14:31).

Today’s text is very convicting because there are times that we have little faith and doubts creep into our hearts. Such was the case with Peter and the other disciples as well. In fact, after the resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples but Thomas was not present. He told the others, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). Jesus was so patient with him and showed him His hands and side. He then said to him, “Do not be unbelieving but believing.” Thomas is forever called “Doubting Thomas.”

We are so much like Peter and Thomas. We believe but have doubts. Jesus rebuked them both with love but rebuked them nonetheless. He said to Thomas in John 20:29, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” The old expression still presents itself, “Seeing is believing.” But there is no faith in that. Jesus taught the opposite in John 11:40, when He spoke to Martha after her brother Lazarus was dead in the grave for four days, “Did I not say to you that if you believe you would see the glory of God?” Faith says, “Believing is seeing.” We must believe first, then we will see!

When Jesus came to His disciples walking on the Sea of Galilee, they were afraid, thinking they were seeing a ghost. He assured them that it was He and to be of good cheer and not be afraid. Peter wanted that additional proof that he could walk on the water also. Jesus agreed and told him to come. He walked on the water but then seeing the boisterous winds, doubted, and began to sink. He cried out one of the shortest, most urgent prayers, Lord, save me!” The Lord reached out His hand and caught him and saved him from drowning.

Jesus asked him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt? The same can be said of us. We are even more accountable, in that we have all the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation. Of all people we should believe, but we are also made of human flesh, and we can have little faith and entertain doubts. May the Lord help us to believe, trust in Him, and act on our faith. Jesus reminds us that if have the faith, even as small as a mustard seed, which was the smallest of seeds, we can move mountains. After Pentecost, the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and their faith grew exponentially. They served the Savior with tremendous faith, courage, and power. How is your faith? Do you doubt at times. I know I do. That is why I called this devotion, “Oh we of little faith.” Pardon the pun, but when it comes to faith, we are all in the same boat.

Have a blessed day walking by faith not by sight, believing then seeing. Stay safe and healthy.

In simple faith,

Dean