In four different passages (Matthew 6:30, Matthew 8:26, Matthew 16:8, Luke 12:28) Jesus makes the statement “oh ye of little faith.” It wasn’t me that said it, it was Jesus Christ. Yes the son of a carpenter. Yes the son of Mary and Joseph. Yes the cousin of John the Baptist. I guess there’s a couple of ways you could take that statement, both good and bad but why would you want to? Everything that Jesus was all about was good. I even like how he responded “why do you call me good” when someone called him “good teacher.” That wasn’t prideful, it was a conversation grabber!
So let’s look at the validity of “oh ye of little faith” with the implication that our faith shouldn’t be. It should be the complete opposite. Big. Always growing. Why? Because it’s a vital part of our Christian life and without it pleasing God is impossible (Hebrews 11:6). He wants us to do the impossible and the Bible is packed full of instances of just that!
Matthew 6:29-31 (KJV) / Luke 12:27-29 (KJV) |
29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, 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? 31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? |
The implication here is why WORRY about your needs. Worry is the opposite of faith, the understanding that God can and God will provide whatever it is you need. In the next couple of verses the promise of seeking the Kingdom of God and what all He offers (Righteousness) first/before the other things will be taken care of. Begin today to consciously to spend time in prayer and listening to the leading of the Holy Spirit. You’ll be surprised that when that decision you need to make will be much easier if God doesn’t hear from you when you need something. (Hint: Try asking for wisdom to make Godly decisions.)
Matthew 8:25-27 (KJV) |
| 25And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! |
Just before this passage the disciples witnessed a great time of ministry with healing and other great miracles. So, a short time later while out on the water they forgot what they had seen and heard not thinking Jesus, the Master, cared for their safety (one version says “Lord don’t you care that we parish?”). Once again, Jesus doesn’t waste a teachable moment and corrects them and then calms the storm with the authority of His words. Impossible no; however, they lost sight of the power of God to perform. The Word of God in our mouth has power and can change the entire dynamic of our situation. This led to one getting out of the boat.
Matthew 16:7-9 (KJV) |
| 7And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. 8Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? 9Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? |
At first glance this might seem like a surface rebuke of not thinking ahead combined with doubt; however, the Amplified version sheds light on Jesus’ warning against being leavened or becoming watered down. The best defense is a good reading plan of God’s word (so you maintain a balanced spiritual diet of the Word) and being disciple by regularly attending a local church. It is the only thing that gives life…
So if you’re still saying ouch from time to time all you have to do is get with the program. Which one you might ask? Walking by faith. Now I'm not talking about psychobabble, I'm talking about three things:
Walking by Faith and Not Doubting
1) Finding out what the Word of God has to say about your situation
2) Speaking it out of your mouth (instead of saying what's negative)
3) Believing it's done already.
Many people understand step 1 and 2 but step three is the hard part. We all loose sight of the prize from time to time, but we should quickly come back to the banquet table of the Word and let it be our confession when doubt tries to set it. The key is to build your faith up so when adversity comes you outlast the devil's game of "doubt God". So have you received everything God has for you to make an impact in the world? Then, just wait, because as long as you are a willing vessel and you are actively walking by faith God with do mighty things in you! If Daniel, Abraham and Paul could walk by faith how much more us?
Walking by Faith and Not Doubting
1) Finding out what the Word of God has to say about your situation
2) Speaking it out of your mouth (instead of saying what's negative)
3) Believing it's done already.
Many people understand step 1 and 2 but step three is the hard part. We all loose sight of the prize from time to time, but we should quickly come back to the banquet table of the Word and let it be our confession when doubt tries to set it. The key is to build your faith up so when adversity comes you outlast the devil's game of "doubt God". So have you received everything God has for you to make an impact in the world? Then, just wait, because as long as you are a willing vessel and you are actively walking by faith God with do mighty things in you! If Daniel, Abraham and Paul could walk by faith how much more us?
