Have Faith in God and Don't Be Afraid

What is faith? Faith is trust in things hoped for and belief in things unseen. We live in a physical world but there is also an invisible realm. To have faith in God is to believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:1-6. God is an ever present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even if the waters roar and foam and the mountains slip into the sea. There is a river that makes glad the city of God. Psalm 46:1-7. Whatever happens, we know that he is with us. People get very depressed if they think that this life is the only one they have. We look forward to eternal life. The apostles were having a terrible time. They were travelling preaching the gospel, frequently in prison or shipwrecked, sometimes hungry, sometimes being whipped. They knew that it was all worthwhile. They were looking forward to the day when Jesus would raise them from the dead and unite them with the people they were trying to help in Heaven. 2Corinthians 4:7-18. Many people before the time of Jesus died in faith without ever seeing the things that they hoped for but God has prepared a city for them in Heaven. Hebrews 11:7-16. God allows us to go through difficult times in order to refine and purify us like gold being refined by fire. 1Peter 1:3-9.

The disciples went out in a boat to go to the other side of the lake while Jesus went up into the mountains to pray. The boat was battered by the waves and the wind was against it. Jesus came to them walking on the water. They were frightened and thought they had seen a ghost. Jesus told them, 'Don't be afraid. It's me.' Peter said, 'Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water.' Jesus told him to come. At first Peter walked on the water confidently but then he looked at the wind and the waves and became frightened. He began sinking. Jesus took him by the hand and said, 'Oh you of little faith. Why did you doubt?' Jesus got into the boat and the wind and the waves grew calm. They worshipped him and said, 'Truly you are the Son of God.' Matthew 14:22-33. Often God will put us in a situation which will seem difficult and dangerous. It is easy to become overwhelmed by our circumstances and easy to imagine the worst. But we will be safe if we keep our eyes on God and not on the things that are going wrong around us. Notice that even when Peter loses his faith and begins sinking Jesus still rescues him. Even if you lose your faith God will not abandon you. There is still a way through. But Peter could have walked proudly and confidently across the stormy lake if he hadn't panicked.

The angel of God had struck the first born sons of the Egyptian families dead and the Israeli slaves had finally escaped from Egypt. Going into the desert they could see Pharaoh's army chasing after them. In spite of the miraculous power of God which they had just seen they became terrified. They became angry with Moses. 'Why did you bring us out into the desert to die? Were there no graves in Egypt? You should have left us alone. It would have been better to remain as slaves in Egypt than to die in the desert.' Then God parted the Red Sea so that they could cross safely. The army of Pharaoh followed them into the Red Sea but were drowned as the waters returned. Exodus 14. The situation may look hopeless but have faith. God hasn't finished yet. God could still come through.

Before he was crucified Jesus told the disciples not to be afraid. He would return and take them to be with him in Heaven. 'In my father's house are many rooms. I go there to prepare a place for you. I will come back and take you to be with me.' John 14:1-3.  'Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. Not as the world gives give I unto you.' John 14:27. The world gives the peace of knowing that everything is going well. God gives the peace of knowing that even if the worst happens he will bring something good out of it. All things keep working for the good of those who trust in God and have been called according to his purposes. Romans 8:28. God has a plan. Everything will be for our benefit. When Jesus rose from the dead the disciples didn't believe it. The women had gone to visit the tomb and had found it empty. The disciples didn't believe them. Mark 16:1-11. A man appeared to two of the disciples as they were walking to the village of Emmaus. Somehow they didn't recognise that it was Jesus. He asked them what they were talking about. They told him about Jesus' crucifixion and how puzzled they were that the women had gone to the tomb and had found it empty. Jesus rebuked them for their lack of faith and explained that these things were prophesied in the Bible. They went into a house in the village and ate together. Then their eyes were opened and they recognised Jesus. They returned to Jerusalem and told the disciples but they still did not believe them. Jesus came and had dinner with the disciples in Jerusalem. He rebuked them for their lack of faith. Mark 16:12-14. Thomas had not been there and laughed. He said, 'Unless I can see the nail prints in his hands and put my hand into his side I won't believe it.' Jesus appeared to Thomas again individually. Thomas saw the nail prints in his hands and put his hand into Jesus' side. He said, 'My Lord and my God.' John 20:24-29. When we're in the middle of a bad situation it's difficult to see how God can bring us through. We get confused and we panic. But God doesn't abandon us. God is still patient with us and will deliver us in spite of our lack of faith.