May 14th 2020

A triumphant Thursday to all,
Our Wednesday night Go group is currently working through the Gospel of Matthew. Last night's study included the part where Peter began to walk on water and then started to sink as soon as his eyes turned from Jesus to the water and the wind. During that instance, Jesus used the term "oh you of little faith" in reference to Peter when he began to doubt, which cause sinking to begin. 

The Greek word translated as "little faith" is a combination of two Greek words which mean "little or few" and "faith" it is a Greek compound word that is only found in the Bible, only found in a handful of texts,  only used by Jesus, and directed at HIs disciples. While it is found in more than one Gospel, the reference is to the same instance. Matthew records  these instances in chapters six, eight, fourteen, and sixteen. In chapter six, it references being anxious about tomorrow. In chapter eight, the disciples eyes were on the storm rather than who was in the boat with them. In chapter fourteen, Peter's doubt suppressed the realization of who it was that called him. Finally, in chapter sixteen, the disciples failed to understand that Jesus was explaining the insidious nature of false teachings. The last instance was especially grievous because they seemed to have forgotten the miracles they had witnessed. 

The Greek word is awkward to translate accurately into English. It is not someone having little faith but someone being a little faith.  Being "little faiths" caused them to forget who God is; what He had done in the past; what He had promised for their future; and what that meant for the challenges they were facing at the moment.  

It is not much different today. We often speak of the grandeur of God but in reality we have put Him in a little bottle and placed Him on a shelf. We tend to forget all that He is, what He has done, what He has promised, and what that means in our daily lives. The way we fret about tomorrow, the storms in our lives, and the challenges we face each day can be more defined as someone who has "big worries" and  a "little God".  The Bible teaches us that we have a "Big God" who makes our concerns "little worries". 

As we proceed through our Thursday; let's remember the majesty of the God we serve and what that mean for each moment we draw breath. He will provide; He will protect; He will enable; and His teachings are pure.

May your Thursday be blessed
Vic