He replied "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you. If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain. 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20 NIV
As I was reading this passage from the gospel of Matthew, I thought how the story was one that could happen in this day, some 2000 years later. In this instance, a gentleman went to the disciples and asked them to heal his son. They were not able to, so he went to Jesus personally and received the healing. The disciples then went to Jesus and asked 'Why they couldn't do it'? The response was this verse from above, they had lacked faith. What? The disciples who were ones that were walking and doing ministry with Jesus day in and day out considered of "little faith. How much more would the modern church then be?
This is actually one of my favorite verses and the thought that it just takes a mustard seed of faith to move a mountain. Faith is a topic that I absolutely love, and is essential in our life as believer.
First off, the writer of Hebrews uses the word impossible- which means no other way. Faith is what God desires and requires from us. The disciples had the power to help the man, but what they didn't have was the faith to do it. Or perhaps more importantly doubted God could use them. What are we doubting in our faith? Or more importantly, what are we missing out on because we don't have enough faith? God doesn't say we need mountain size faith to move a mustard seed, in fact he says just the opposite; the faith of a mustard seed to move a mountain. I know in my life right now I feel like I am living by faith alone. While on one instance it is the scariest place to be because it means no control over certain things-or should I say the giving up of false security. On the other hand it means a peace from having dependence on God. It also means the ability to have those that are "watching" us right now see that God is constantly working. Everyday we are being blessed by food from a friend, a check in the mail we didn't know was coming or even today the offer of bed for our spare bedroom. That has all been in the last week. Yes there are problems that I don't know the answer to and honestly bills that I don't know how they get paid. However, I know that God is constantly at work in our lives and since we made the decision to follow Him on this path of ministry we haven't drowned or been overtaken. I was asked today if I was ready to "lose" it all and the answer is YES!
Just today, as the mountains seem to be huge around us and we were beginning to feel closed in, we found ourselves praying that they would be moved and He would guide our steps. What mountains are in your path? What is an area that needs "moved"? More importantly where are you placing your faith? In a God who longs to rescue you? Or in false sense of security the world is throwing at your feet?
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) "and without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
Matthew 16:25(NIV) "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it."
Just today, as the mountains seem to be huge around us and we were beginning to feel closed in, we found ourselves praying that they would be moved and He would guide our steps. What mountains are in your path? What is an area that needs "moved"? More importantly where are you placing your faith? In a God who longs to rescue you? Or in false sense of security the world is throwing at your feet?
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