Matthew 16:8 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?”

Jesus’ disciples often tried His patience, but certainly not more than we do today. What is interesting to me about this particular incident is that Jesus didn’t say they were stupid for not understanding what He was saying, He said their faith was inadequate. (The Japanese says their faith was “thin.”) There are people today who have high IQs but refuse to receive Jesus’ teaching. We are quick to substitute human constructs and rationalizations for the clear words of Scripture simply because we don’t have faith that A, God is the omnipotent Creator, B, He is loving toward His creation, C, that He has a plan that will eventually work everything out, and D, that He’s a whole lot smarter than we are. Just yesterday I encountered for the first time something called “the Sparkle Creed,” which is presented as a totally man-centered substitute for the Apostles’ Creed. I was saddened and disgusted, as I’m sure God is. The worst thing about it is that it is being promoted in supposedly Christian churches! Such things certainly bring to mind Paul’s cautionary words to Timothy about people “having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” (2 Timothy 3:5) Giving precedence to human appetites and feelings, they totally deny Christ even while using His name. If we believe God, we will be obedient to Him. The disciples in this incident had seen Jesus’ miracles, as He Himself pointed out to them, and yet they struggled to release themselves and their circumstances to Him in faith. We are no better. We need to believe Him enough to trust Him, love Him enough to obey Him. (John 14:15)

I am generally thought of as one with a lot of faith, but the question is always whether that faith is leading to full obedience. At times I feel like my faith is a thin veneer, looking good on the outside but not extending very deep. As the father of the epileptic boy said, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) I am called and sent as an example to others, yet at the same time I am at times sharply aware of how much room I myself have to grow, in faith, love, and obedience. If I fix my eyes, my heart, totally on my Lord, then He will be fully reflected in and by me. That is my desire, but I don’t feel I’m there yet. Again like Paul, I want to know my Lord fully, even as He knows me. (Philippians 3:10) However, I do have the assurance that will indeed happen when I stand before Him in glory. (1 Corinthians 13:12) Then, faith will be no veneer, but the total assurance of sight.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Help me indeed walk in the faith I have received to this point, knowing that it will grow by Your grace, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!