Jesus asked that question of Peter, as he caught Peter’s hand and kept him from sinking into the sea. “You of little Faith, why did you doubt?”

When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Elijah came to a cave, and spent the night there, and God asked him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 

Elijah told the Lord about his troubles, and then he said,” I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts, for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, ... I alone am left and they are seeking my life to take it away.”

The Lord told Elijah to go out and stand on the mountain, ... for the Lord is about to pass by. Elijah did as he was told; and among the turmoil of wind and storm that raged around him silence fell, and God was with him, and instructed him of a way out of the troubles that Elijah saw before him.  

The Christians in Rome were a worrisome bunch, and they questioned many things, many times. They wanted everything spelled out neatly, generously and positively. They wanted their doubts put away.

Paul then took the time to school them about the word of faith which they were to proclaim, and he instructed them: “If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” It was the basic tenet of the church as it grew, and it still is today.  

Each Sunday when we say the Creeds, we reiterate out faith and belief in the centuries old scriptures that take away all of the doubts that society puts upon us. With that, and the ready forgiveness of our sins and transgressions, we then gain faith in what the apostles taught us; what the early church carried forward to us, and what is preached each Sunday in the Church today. We have no reason to doubt that our faith will save us. 

Jesus reached out his hand, and Peter was kept from drowning.

Elijah, listening in the silence after the wind, and earthquake, and after fire shook blew and blazed in his mind, heard in the silence, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” and Elijah listened. He was told what to do. 

Paul reassured the Christian people of Rome, and helped them remove their reasons for doubting. He strengthened their belief, and their faith. He then spurred them on to share that faith and belief with others. He said, “As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’”  Amen.

The Rev. George O. Martin is an Ordained Deacon at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 17th and Adams, Great Bend. Send email to georgeom@hbcomm.net.