Little Faith, 4of9

~ Strong Faith is Not a One Time Event ~

Passage  ~  “Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.  Now when evening came, He was alone there.  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.  Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’  And they cried out for fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid.’ 

“And Peter answered Him and said, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’  So He said, ‘Come.’  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God’” (Matthew 14:22-33). 

Comment  ~  This is the second storm recorded by Matthew (c.f. 8:26).  Matthew in these two accounts records “little faith” in each situation.  Peter is a good representative of the disciples—and of us today!  Our Lord’s reply is “Don’t be afraid, I Am…”  Jesus says, “Be of good cheer!  [i.e., take courage]  It is I; do not be afraid.”  We cannot survive on yesterday’s faith.  Faith needs to be constantly strengthened. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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