Why did you hesitate? How little faith you have!
Matthew 14.31

These were the words of Jesus in the context of his walking on the water. The disciples were in their boat some distance from the lake shore in the middle of the night, when a sudden squall assailed them. Jesus himself had stayed behind on the hillside to pray alone. When he was aware of the disciples' trouble he walked over the lake towards them, and they were terrified, thinking they were seeing a ghost. Once he had identified himself, Peter wanted complete assurance, and asked his Master to summon him alongside. As soon as Jesus complied with this request, Peter stepped down from the boat, and walked over the water towards him. But the sheer strength of the gale brought poor Peter down with a vengeance: his terror separated him from Jesus, and he realized how precarious, indeed impossible, was his situation. And so he began to sink, and called out in terror to be saved. At once the Lord reached out and caught hold of him; they climbed into the boat, and the storm subsided. The disciples were struck with awe, and acknowledged Jesus' greatness (Matt. 14.22-33).

This incident can tell us much about faith in action and also about the place of doubt. A notorious schoolboy definition of faith is believing something you know is untrue. Few of us, however pious we may be, would go as far as that, but quite a few believers feel that the slightest questioning of the credal basis of their religion is sacrilegious. Because their own stability depends on a rigid affirmation of all the articles of their faith, they are soon liable to persecute any waverers. One outcome of such unchallengeable faith is fanaticism, another is superstition: if a person does not act according to the rules, God is sure to punish him or her with misfortune.

Such a faith may sustain one temporarily, but in due course a situation will arise to test that faith to the point of breaking. So Job's previous confidence in God's providence according to the traditional Wisdom teachers of the Old Testament, was shattered when he saw that righteous living was no assurance of good fortune. The writer of Ecclesiastes could see no obvious relationship between virtue and providence - the book is a masterpiece of doubt, but it tells us to get on with our life as best we can, living completely in the present moment; if we expect special treatment for our efforts, we are liable to disappointment. Experience teaches us that doubt is the mortar that binds together the bricks of faith in the foundation of a house that can withstand the pounding of the misfortunes of life. Without that reinforcement the house would soon collapse at the onslaught of life's unruly elements (this is an unusual application of Matthew 7.24-7, truth being the reconciling quality between Christ's words and honest doubt).

There is, however, a type of faith quite essential in daily living. It is the courage and tenacity to proceed with the work in hand despite the discouraging wisdom of both the bystanders and our own critical mind. When we are involved in purposeful action, the key to success is self-forgetfulness and concentration on the present situation: no one who sets his hand to the plough and then keeps looking back is fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9.62).

In the episode that sparks off our meditation, it was the immense spiritual power flowing through and from Jesus that supported Peter, but once he yielded to his rational mind, Peter blocked that power of the Holy Spirit and at once began to sink. So do we also if we cut off the power of God by failing to trust in times of trial. But if we can persevere despite all misfortune, we shall enter a new realm of human activity, energized by the love of God.

There's no discouragement
Shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent
To be a pilgrim.

May I have the humility to forget myself Lord, as I prepare to yield my spirit to you each night in sleep; so that, when the time of trial afflicts me, I may be so perfectly obedient to your Spirit that together we may do the work which is required of us.