It is the nature of many to worry. A poor soul once lamented, “My life has been filled with terrible misfortune, most of which never occurred.”
Indeed most of what we worry about will never come to pass. And we are often able to handle what does happen better than we anticipate. Scripture reminds us that the trials of life actually produce good results. (James 1:2-4; Hebrews 12:5-11)
We are promised that GOD will make all things work together for good. (Romans 8:28)
Yet we worry. The word worry is found six times in Matthew 6:25-34. The context seems to be discussing our worrying about the physical things of life such as food and clothing. It is in this context that Jesus rebukes the worrier with this phrase, O you of little faith. We are reminded that worry is an indicator of a lack of faith.
The phrase, O you of little faith, is found 4 more times in the Bible. Let us visit each of these passages in the following order with a brief observation.
In Matthew 16:8, the context is anxiety or worry. The disciples had forgotten to bring bread on their trip. They were worried and reasoned among themselves. Jesus’ response? O you of little faith!
Consider Matthew 8:26. The context is fear. During a storm on the sea, the disciples awoke Jesus from His sleep fearing they were about to perish. Jesus’ response? O you of little faith!
The context is doubt in Matthew 14:31. This is the account of Peter walking on the water toward Jesus. He took his eyes of the LORD and immediately began to sink. At this point he cried out to the LORD, saying, “Lord, save me!” Jesus’ response? O you of little faith!
In the final instance, in Luke 12:28, the context is human reasoning. This is Luke’s account of the text with which we began in Matthew 6. Luke’s account is also found in the discussion of material things. It is apparent the disciples were worried about those things and human reasoning crept in. Where is our next meal coming from? How are we going to provide the necessary clothing? Human reasoning reveals a lack of faith. Jesus’ response? O you of little faith!
Thus in the four passages, we have anxiety, fear, doubt, and human reasoning. All of these reveal a lack of faith.
Now consider them in the reverse order. Human reasoning creates doubt. Doubt leads to fear. Fear leads to anxiety. All of this because of a lack of faith according to Matthew 17:20.
I must admit there are many times in my life I am sure the LORD must look at me and say, “O you of little faith.”
Then I consider the passages where Jesus commends a strong faith. In Matthew 15:28, to the mother of the demon-possessed daughter, He said, “Great is your faith!” To the centurion, in Matthew 8:10, He said, “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”
“O you of little faith” versus “Great is your faith.” Which would describe me?