Jesus Calms The Storm

If the disciples needed more faith, then we know that we need more faith! So how does a person obtain more faith? Initially, faith is given to us by the Holy Spirit as we listen and respond to the Word of God.

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. (NASB) Rom. 10:17

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God . . . (NASB) Eph. 2:8

This is an important truth because it reveals that faith does not come as a result of a personal decision. Faith is the work of God in one’s life. 1 Corinthians 12:9 also reveals that the Holy Spirit can give us a spiritual gift of faith. This spiritual gift gives an individual believer an extraordinary amount of faith. This reveals that God not only gives us faith, He can also increase our faith. The apostles finally understood this truth and eventually they asked Jesus for more faith near the end of His ministry,

Our faith can also increase as we watch very spiritually, godly, mature men and women live their lives of faith. That is the message of Hebrews 13:7.

Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. (NASB) Heb. 13:7

These individuals are very mature, godly believers who know the Word of God and whose lives are great examples of Christ. Their lives are the result of the Holy Spirit’s work. Their lives are examples of the work of faith within them. These righteous individuals have lived by faith and it is obvious.

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.” (NASB) Rom. 1:17

So our faith can increase as we listen to the Word of God, as the Holy Spirit works within us, and as we mimic the faith of godly “fathers of the faith.” Now I have a question for you. Are you seeking more faith? If so, then ask God for more faith just as the disciples did. Study the Word of God diligently, and ask God to give you someone whose life you can imitate.

Conclusion. After the disciples had heard Jesus say, “Hush, be still!” it is not a surprise that they asked, “Who then is this?” when the shrieking winds had stopped and the waves became as smooth as glass. “Who then is this?” He was and is the God of the universe, and the elements obeyed their Creator. For the disciples, Jesus was the perfect model of someone they could mimic, for no one is more perfect and holy than God Himself. The One who could silence the winds and calm the waters was the ultimate example of One whose faith they could imitate, for He was God Himself.

Today, our faith can grow as we study the Word of God and see Him in its pages. We can ask for more faith and seek to be more like Him by imitating someone who is closer to His likeness. Some day we will see Him face-to-face and faith will no longer be required because our little faith will be a thing of the past. Yes, the just shall live by faith and some day we will see the author and the finisher of our faith.

. . . fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith . . . (NASB) Heb. 12:2