A week or so ago, a devotional reading took me to Matthew 17:14-21 and led me to consider a third word- FAITH as I continue my journey in GetOneWord.
In this passage, Jesus encounters a crowd who has become frustrated because the disciples have not been able heal an epileptic boy. He answers the people with what seems to be a harsh assessment, calling them a “faithless and twisted generation.” (17) He then has the boy brought to him, rebukes the demon, and heals him instantly.
Later, as he gathers privately with his disciples, they inquire as to why they had not been able to cast out the demon. His answer to them got my attention:
“Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there, and it will move,’ and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:21
The notation in the ESV Study Bible says that Jesus is indicating to them that there is a difference between defective and effective FAITH. Their faith is little- they are not “devoid of faith,” but the faith they have is not functioning properly.
I found myself asking- what about my own faith? Is it functioning as it should- moving mountains and overcoming the impossible? I don’t want to be handicapped by weak or little faith, so using my concordance and cross references in my Bible, I took a look at little faith in action.
Little faith flashes like an old-time K-Mart blue light special, making me realize that I’m captured by it more often than I’d like to admit! I bet you may be as well,
While I may be tempted to think it’s good enough to at least have some faith, God’s Word shines a clear light of truth on the gravitational pull of little faith-
- Matthew 6:30- Little faith worries about daily needs like food and clothes even though God promises to provide.
- Matthew 8:26- Little faith fears the storm all the while God protects.
- Matthew 14:31- Little faith doubts even though Jesus has all power.
- Matthew 16:8- Little faith focuses on what it lacks even though God’s provision is abundant.
Strong Faith on the other hand . . .
- Matthew 21:21-22- Moves Mountains!!
This contrast between little and strong faith took me back to Hebrews 11, also known as God’s Great Hall of Faith. I had spent time in study here already and had underlined all of the action verbs associated with these heroes of faith. The list is inspiring to say the least and answers my first question-
What does faith that pleases God look like?
FAITH– offers, obeys, constructs, goes, considers, looks forward, blesses, worships, chooses, keeps, welcomes, conquers . . . to start the list. Sometimes it- suffers, endures mistreatment, is persecuted, afflicted, and killed. I encourage you to go through the chapter yourself- you will be amazed!
I wrote in the margin of my Bible- FAITH ACTS!
I want a faith that acts, so I’m asking a second question:
What then motivates faith?
Hebrews 11:6 provides a clear answer- Faith believes that God exists, and that He rewards those who seek Him. Faith places confident hope and trust in what it cannot see but knows is true. Faith pleases God because it believes that what God has promised, He will do!
So I’m left this morning considering my FAITH- asking God to increase it so that it functions properly- as He designed it, moving mountains and doing the impossible. I also clearly see the connection to belief and realize my need to ask God to help me with that.
I want to follow the example of the father of the demon-possessed boy in the Mark 9 account of the same encounter in Matthew 17. Mark 9 describes how he approached Jesus in desperation and said,
“if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (22-24)
In these uncertain and fear-filled Coronavirus days, I’m struck by the clear mandate in Scripture that comes from Jesus himself. I am not to approach the way I pray, interact with people, or even buy groceries with an “if you can” mentality. Jesus is calling me to exchange that kind of little faith- and its flashes of worry, fear, doubt, and lack-
For a faith that believes He came to give me a spirit of power, love, and self-control (sound mind), so I’m adding a PIC today of a scripture that has popped up on my social media feeds-
I’m asking God to help my unbelief. I want His truth to fuel my FAITH to move mountains in a world that desperately needs to see the power and love of God at work!
I’m also sharing a favorite hymn that I have shared before. It’s a timely reminder-
This Is My Father’s World by Amy Grant
Enjoy a time of worship and believe the truth-
The Lord is King, let the heavens ring! God reigns; let the earth be glad!
Daily PICs for Life 