Jesus addresses his followers as people of “little faith” several times in Matthew. He could address us accordingly also. In Matthew 6:30, he tells us that God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? We show “little faith” when we have worries and cares about normal provisions of life. We need to realize that God is in charge. He’ll take care of these issues for us.

In Matthew 8:26, the apostles were panicking because of the storm on the sea. Jesus said, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. We have little faith with the trials and struggles and storms of life cause us to fret and fear about our wellbeing. No matter what storms strike us on the sea of life, he’s there. He won’t desert us or forsake us. One of my favorite verses is from Isaiah 43. It says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. “ In Matthew 14, Peter begins to sink when he takes his eyes off of Jesus. Jesus asks, “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” We have little faith when the waves of life cause us to doubt God’s presence and care for us.

In Matthew 16, the Apostles reach their destination and realize they didn’t bring any food with them. They begin to discuss this dilemma amongst themselves and Jesus interrupts their discussion and says in Verse 8, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread?” He then reminds them of the two times he fed thousands with little or nothing. We have little faith when we forget God’s provision for us in the past, and let our situations cause worry and stress.

Did you notice that faith was the issue at each point of trials or troubles in the life of the Apostles’? It’s the same for us. Faith is always tested in trials. Faith is idle when circumstances are right, only when they are adverse is one’s faith in God exercised. Faith, like muscle, grows strong and supple with exercise.

Chuck
“The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest…” Matthew 13:23