DEVOTION – DAY 609

Matthew 17:20 “Faith In Jesus”

Matthew 17:20 “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.”

It is good to know the context of the above verse. In Matthew 17:14-20, we have an account of Jesus healing a boy who was possessed by a demon. He suffered from seizures and it had been going on for some years. Jesus had earlier empowered His disciples to drive out demons and the gospels had recorded that they had driven out demons. They probably thought that driving out another demon was not a problem for them. However, when the boy was brought before them, the disciples failed. This caused a commotion amongst the disciples and the people who brought the boy. Hearing this, Jesus asked them what was the problem. Jesus immediately drove out the demon. The disciples asked Jesus why they failed when Jesus succeeded. Jesus’ reply was given in v20 above.

The issue was not that the disciples lacked faith. The issue was the object of their faith. They thought they had the experience and the authority given to them by Jesus to drive out demons. So, they were really putting their faith on their own skills and past successes. They were relying on their own strength. Many people today make the same mistake. They put their faith in their own wisdom and strength when they face challenges. When we think we can do something hard and we fail, many times, we retreat in defeat, and are ruled by disappointment and fear. Our confidence is shaken. 

Jesus in v20 reminds us that the faith must be in Him, the Son of God, who has the same authority of God, the Father. Nothing is impossible for Him. It is not about having more faith. It is about having faith in Jesus alone. Jesus said faith as small as a mustard seed is enough. A mustard seed is the smallest seed. Faith even that small is enough to move the “mountains” or problems we face in our lives. 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, please forgive us for the times we took our eyes off you and trusted on our own strength and intellect. Please help us always to trust in you and rely on your strength in serving you, knowing you will carry us through to victory and for your glory. We humbly pray in the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Questions

  1. What “mountains” do you need to move in your life today? It could be the salvation of loved ones, broken relations, financial problems, work stress etc. Share about them.
  2. Examine why they remain a challenge to you. How have you been trying to resolve them? With your own strength and abilities or with the help of others?
  3. Have you placed your complete trust in the Lord to help you face these “mountains”?
  4. Will you trust the Lord even if the outcome is not what you have expected? Will you continue to trust Him believing He knows what is best for you?