Faith Disturbance

   It is a potent force…a common malady, even among disciples.  Its presence is both disturbing and destructive.

   We are talking about a faith disturbance called “doubt.”  It was a concern Jesus addressed with His disciples during His ministry days on earth.

   We begin with the traumatic scene recorded in Matthew 14.  Here we find Jesus coming to His disciples in the middle of a storm…and Peter walking on the water (like His Savior)…until -- “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

   “Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him.  “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?””  (Matthew 14:30-31).

   Here we find the spiritual clash between “faith” and “doubt.”  The latter can so quickly erode the former, leaving room for a complete destruction of the foundation for our relationship with Christ.  This is Satan’s work…a spiritual battleground.  Here we find Jesus reminding Peter of the vital need for faith.

   We move to another scene.  This time it is in the upper room following Jesus’ resurrection.  He comes to these disciples and this is their human response -- “They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.  ...