There have been many points in my life where I can clearly see the hand of God providing for me, and yet still I doubt. When I’m actually in the middle of a storm, and the waves are crashing around me and I don’t see a way out, I doubt. Even though sometimes I have just seen God do a miraculous thing in my life, I doubt.

 

I’m reminded of the disciples. Just after Jesus had fed 5,000 people with a meal that would’ve normally only fed five men (Matthew 14:13-21), they witnessed another miracle. The disciples were going ahead of Jesus to the other side of the lake, when He came up to them, walking on water. Another impossible thing made possible by Jesus. Only one disciple showed his faith in action that day, however, and got out of the boat to walk towards his Teacher (v.29).  But Peter’s faith didn’t last more than a few steps before the doubt took over. When he saw the fierce wind and the waves coming at him, Peter started to sink. His faith was tested and doubt took over. But Jesus “immediately” saved him despite his doubts (v.31 NIV).

 

When I think through that encounter, I wonder if Peter had remembered that Jesus had literally just fed 5,000 people with less food than it would’ve taken to feed the disciples. Why did he doubt that Jesus could continue to help him walk on the waves? Why do we doubt when we’ve seen God’s faithfulness in our lives?

 

The encouraging thing is that Jesus helps us through our doubts and continues to provide for us in spite of them. Matthew 17:20-21 tells us we only need a little seed of faith to move mountains. God will meet us in our doubts and questions, and He will provide for us even there—offering more peace, more love, more patience, more self-control, more comfort, and more faith.

 

Your faith may be small; it may be hanging by a thread. You may be on your knees, crying out to God with only a whisper of belief that He will come through. Yet, we can have confidence that God‘s provision will meet us where we are, even there.