Matthew 8:23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”
Matthew 6:30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Matthew 14:30-31 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Matthew 16:8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread?
Mark 4:40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
Isaiah 41:10-14 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Jesus rebuked their fear and unbelief, not their request or waking Him. We shouldn’t think that Jesus was in a bad mood from being awakened. He was upset at their fear, because fear and unbelief go together. When we trust God as we should trust Him, there is little room left for fear.
“He does not chide them for disturbing him with their prayers, but for disturbing themselves with their fears.” (Henry)
They actually had many reasons to have faith, even great faith. They had just seen Jesus do significant miracles, showing great power and authority. They had seen an example of great faith with the centurion who trusted Jesus to heal his servant. They had Jesus with them in the boat. And, they saw Jesus sleep; His peace should have given them peace.
When faith is only strongest in the calm winds of life and fails in the stormy winds of life, what good does it do for that person? What example does it set for those who see your faith failing in the stormy winds of life? What does is say about that person’s faith? I think our faith grows as we:
- Spend time in God’s Word and we meditate on it
- Grow in our understanding, knowledge, and wisdom of God
- Desire and seek with all our hearts, minds, and souls to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all we say, think, and do.
- Desire and seek to be led and allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit
- Not only know, but Believe that God is all-powerful, all-present, and all-knowing
- Believe that all things work together for good of those who are His believers, followers, trusters, obeyers
Oh God, help not my belief but my unbelief.