Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Seems simple enough, so why is it so hard sometimes?
Ever felt like your faith tank is running a little low? Your not alone. I sometimes feel the same way. At times my faith is so strong, (usually when everything is going my way). Then when things starts to tear, just a little at the seams I start to waver. Having faith requires a lot of strength. 1 Corinthians 16:13 "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." It's not a coincidence that strong and courageous are right behind the word faith in that verse. To have confidence that Christ has the uncontrollable under control, is really hard. Something I haven't quite mastered.
In Mark 4:40 Christ is talking to His disciples about this very thing: "He said to his disciples, "why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" I take comfort in reading this verse. It helps comfort me when
I start loosing patience with my self. Even the disciples faltered with their faith. They even got to see all those miracles up close and personal. How could they falter? But in the end, weren't they just human too?
When Christ said this to them, He may have been a little frustrated, but I also believe he was truly confused. Like: ok guys seriously? How much more do I need to prove? I don't see God angry when we don't have the faith we need. In His loving wisdom He usually uses these moments of weakness as His opportunity to show us His strength. When were times that your faith was strengthened?
My favorite faith story in the bible is when Peter walked on water towards Jesus. If you haven't read this story I encourage you to do so in it's entirety. (Mathew 14:22-35) I will summarize it for you.
All the disciples are in a boat far from land (Mathew 14:24). They look out and see someone walking on water. Needless to say they freak out. (Mathew 14:26) "When the disciples saw him walking on the lake they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear." Jesus called out and told them not to be afraid it was him. "Lord, if it's you,' Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come" he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. (verses 28-29) So Peter is walking on water! Can you imagine? Amazing right! If you were put in that position would you even get out of the boat to try? (To be honest I don't know if I would). Ok where was I? Oh yeah, ok so Peter is walking on water. He starts to comprehend his circumstances realizing he is doing the impossible. Humans can't walk on water, and yet he's doing it? So he does what any of us would do. He gets scared. The minute he listens to his fear he starts to sink. How scary. He is in the middle of the ocean at night, and now he's sinking. Here comes my favorite part . . . . "he was afraid and, beginning to sink cried out, "Lord, save me!" immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" (verses 29-31)
Peters action is not unusual, and God hasn't changed His reaction. Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." We get scared. We doubt. Start to sink, and He reaches out for us every time. I believe Peters faith was strengthened in that moment just like ours is when we cry out. Jesus didn't say I'm going teach you a lesson Peter, and let him flounder for a bit. He didn't roll his eyes and tell Peter to stop being so dramatic. Nope, right away reaches out his hand and helps him.
If you remember one thing from this story, let it be the fact that you can call on the Lord at any time and under any circumstance. He will "immediately" reach out his hand to help you.
In Mark 4:40 Christ is talking to His disciples about this very thing: "He said to his disciples, "why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" I take comfort in reading this verse. It helps comfort me when
I start loosing patience with my self. Even the disciples faltered with their faith. They even got to see all those miracles up close and personal. How could they falter? But in the end, weren't they just human too?
When Christ said this to them, He may have been a little frustrated, but I also believe he was truly confused. Like: ok guys seriously? How much more do I need to prove? I don't see God angry when we don't have the faith we need. In His loving wisdom He usually uses these moments of weakness as His opportunity to show us His strength. When were times that your faith was strengthened?
My favorite faith story in the bible is when Peter walked on water towards Jesus. If you haven't read this story I encourage you to do so in it's entirety. (Mathew 14:22-35) I will summarize it for you.
All the disciples are in a boat far from land (Mathew 14:24). They look out and see someone walking on water. Needless to say they freak out. (Mathew 14:26) "When the disciples saw him walking on the lake they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear." Jesus called out and told them not to be afraid it was him. "Lord, if it's you,' Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come" he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. (verses 28-29) So Peter is walking on water! Can you imagine? Amazing right! If you were put in that position would you even get out of the boat to try? (To be honest I don't know if I would). Ok where was I? Oh yeah, ok so Peter is walking on water. He starts to comprehend his circumstances realizing he is doing the impossible. Humans can't walk on water, and yet he's doing it? So he does what any of us would do. He gets scared. The minute he listens to his fear he starts to sink. How scary. He is in the middle of the ocean at night, and now he's sinking. Here comes my favorite part . . . . "he was afraid and, beginning to sink cried out, "Lord, save me!" immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" (verses 29-31)
Peters action is not unusual, and God hasn't changed His reaction. Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." We get scared. We doubt. Start to sink, and He reaches out for us every time. I believe Peters faith was strengthened in that moment just like ours is when we cry out. Jesus didn't say I'm going teach you a lesson Peter, and let him flounder for a bit. He didn't roll his eyes and tell Peter to stop being so dramatic. Nope, right away reaches out his hand and helps him.
If you remember one thing from this story, let it be the fact that you can call on the Lord at any time and under any circumstance. He will "immediately" reach out his hand to help you.
