“Why do you doubt?”

“Jesus stretched out his hand and took hold of him, saying to (Peter), O you a little faith, why did you doubt?”

I agree with Charles Spurgeon. “The mercies of your Lord in the past make your current doubts all the more sinful.”

Doubt is dangerous because it causes us to forget God’s past faithfulness. Christ has never failed His people: “Jesus has never given you any reason to doubt Him.” His provision is not limited or fragile—“Millions have drawn from Him, yet none have ever complained that His resources are lacking.”

I’ve always believed that doubting God and His Word was sinful. Yet I often hear Christians casually excuse doubt by saying, “It’s okay; God understands.” While God is certainly compassionate toward our weakness, that response has never sat well with me.

Throughout Scripture, God calls us to love Him, trust Him, and obey Him. He repeatedly tells us not to fear, worry, or be anxious. Those emotions are common to our human nature in a fallen world, but they should not rule us.

Jesus Himself often challenged the unbelief and fear of those who followed Him.

To Peter, as he began to sink, He said, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31).

To His disciples in the storm, He asked, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26).

And to Thomas, who struggled to believe, Jesus plainly said, “Do not disbelieve, but believe” (John 20:27).

For those who have been born again, we are called to live faithfully. Not doubting. We are not left to battle fear and uncertainty in our own strength. Christ has given us His Holy Spirit, empowering us to turn to Him in the middle of the struggle—to choose faith over fear, trust over worry, and belief over doubt.

Jesus did not shame people for coming to Him in weakness, but He never affirmed their doubt and fear. He met Peter in the waves; He calmed the disciples’ storm, and He revealed Himself to Thomas. Then He called each of them to greater faith.

Doubt may knock at the door, but we do not have to invite it in and make it at home. We can bring every question, fear, and trembling thought to the Lord, asking Him to strengthen our faith and help us stand firmly on the truth of His Word.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can fix our eyes on Jesus, trust His Word above our circumstances, and walk forward in faith.

Look to Jesus my friends!

Here’s Charles Spurgeon’s message based on Numbers 14:11: “And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them? https://www.youdevotion.com/morneven/august/27