Perhaps none of us would claim to have the strongest faith or conviction. There are times and circumstances that may test the level or strength of our faith. I know that my faith is much stronger than when I was a babe in Christ, but does it continue to grow and increase as it should?
Ever think, “If I could have literally walked with Jesus my faith or conviction would have been so strong!” Just think of the many miracles we would have witnessed with our own eyes! Think of the joy that we would have felt as our ears took in His infinite wisdom! If we could have lived and walked with Jesus, how could our faith or conviction have been anything but strong? And yet, in Matthew’s account of the Gospel, we find four times where Jesus condemned the faith of His apostles and disciples, those whose faith should have been the strongest.
First in Matthew 6:30. In the context of God’s providential care (caring for the things needful for the body), Jesus said to His apostles, “If God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?”
Second in Matthew 8:26. When it came to God’s protection over the elements of the world, as Jesus slept in a boat with His disciples, a storm came and they feared for their lives. Jesus was woken, and their concerns were stated; “Lord, save us: we perish.” Mark records that Jesus was accused of not caring for their safety with the words, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:38). Many (if not all) of us can relate or understand why they might have had concern for their lives. Personally, I do not like to be in a boat in rough waters. Most likely, I would have been the one to wake my Lord! Jesus responded to their cry by a sharp rebuke. Not that He was upset at being awakened, but for their fear and lack of faith. “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the seas; and there was a great calm.”
Third in Matthew 14:31. Jesus approached His apostles on the water, and they believed Him to be a spirit or ghost. Peter asked the Lord to enable him to walk out to Him on the water, and he was granted permission. Peter bravely stepped out on faith, but when his focus moved from the Lord and on to the waves, he began to sink. Peter was most likely very hysterical, and He called out for Jesus to save him. “And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”
Forth in Matthew 16:8. After rebuking the Scribes and Pharisees for their desire to see a miracle, the apostles joined themselves with Jesus again. Jesus told them to “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees” (v. 6). The apostles all thought Jesus was speaking about bread (v. 7), and Jesus responded to them saying, “O ye of little faith, why do ye reason among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?” Jesus continued to bring the things that were done prior before their eyes. “Did you forget about the feast not too long ago that was produced from so little?” (paraphrasing v. 9). “Get your mind off the physical things and build upon your faith or conviction!”
Those that literally walked with the Lord were not always so strong in their faith. Like many of us today, their focus was not always where it should have been – on Christ and His will. May our faith or conviction continue to grow and strengthen as we take in God’s Word, trusting Him as we obey. When we walk in the Lord in the strength of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way!
