O Thou of Little Faith!

Matthew 14:22-33, "And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.  And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God."

It seems that doubt is a constant cloud that shadows faith. Mark 9:24, "And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."

Those of little or weak faith are often overwhelmed with doubt. If they had no faith, they would have nothing to doubt. If my doubts dominate me, I must examine myself as to the strength of my faith, or perhaps my faith is misplaced.

Even those of great and strong faith deal with doubts. The Biblical accounts of great men of God reveal times of doubt:

• David. (Psalm 13:1-2), "How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?"
  

• Elijah. (1 Kings 19:1-4), "And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers."
  

• Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 20:7-9a, 14-18), "O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me. For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name... Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed. Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto thee; making him very glad. And let that man be as the cities which the LORD overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide; Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb to be always great with me. Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?"
  

• John the Baptist. (Matthew 11:2-3), "Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?"
  

It is not surprising that those with the greatest faith come under the greatest attacks of doubt.

No one is perfect in any aspect of life and no one is perfect in faith... at least not yet. Someone has said that, "The ground that will not grow weeds will not grow wheat!"

There is an unusual danger to great faith, and that is having faith in my faith.

1 Corinthians 10:12, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."

Faith must have a basis or a foundation. Faith that has no basis is foolishness. Faith that has no basis is presumption. Our faith is not "blind faith." Our faith has a firm foundation; the Word of God!

On the other hand, doubt that has not basis or foundation is foolishness also. There is not basis for a person to doubt that God is able or willing to save them. There is no evidence to doubt God's ability of meet my needs. Psalm 37:25, "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."

There is not basis or foundation for a person to think that God cannot or will not saved them and keep them secure in their salvation.

Some doubt their salvation for good reason, they have a basis for their doubts, that is because they have a "non-Biblical" salvation. Salvation that is not Bible based is no salvation at all and doubts concerning it are legitimate doubts.

1. Remember that Peter was a Genuine Believer. The road to Heaven is not a smooth path. There are battles to be fought, there are burdens to bear, there are broken hearts to endure. Biblical salvation removes God's judgment upon our sins, but it does not remove our trials. It just gives us strength for our trials, gives us joy and a song in our trials. Some want the blessing of salvation without the burdens of the Christian life. Some want to serve the Lord without the sacrifice required to have His power. Some want a position in the church without the pain of discipleship." Some want the crown without the cross. Even the strongest of God's people may experience doubt and fear during the heat of battle, while bearing the burdens and cross of dedication.
   

2. Realize the Source of Peter's Doubts and Fears. He looked too much at his circumstances. (verse 30) He looked too little at his Savior. (verse 29) Why did Peter get out of the boat? To go to Jesus, but he looked at the wind and the waves and no long thought about going to Jesus. The very thing God was using to bring Peter closer to Jesus became the thing Peter became afraid of. Peter stopped looking to where he was headed and started looking at where he was. When we look at where we are, we will either become proud or depressed. I can look at my trials, heartaches, and burdens in one of two ways: 1. A means to bring me closer to Jesus. 2. Something to fear, fight, or flee which will cause me to sink in despair, bitterness, and sorrow.
   

3. Refocus My Attention on Jesus. Jesus is a good master. He will not destroy those who trust Him and obey Him. He didn't call Peter out of the boat to drown him! What Jesus begins, He finishes! Jesus called him out, and Jesus will see him through. Philippians 1:6, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" Jesus is with us in our trials! Peter was not the only one walking on water that night, Jesus was walking there with him!
   

Our faith has a firm foundation; the Word of God!