So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
However this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”     Matthew17:20-21 NKJV

We often hear that with faith the size of a mustard seed we can move mountains. In this Scripture passage, Jesus’ disciples who were with him every day and watched him perform many miracles, tried to drive a demon from a young man who had suffered with it for years. They were unable to do so. Jesus had gone away from them briefly and they tried to do this on their own and they failed. They asked Jesus why they had been unable to cast out this demon and His response to them is our Scripture passage for today.

If you have ever seen a mustard seed, you know that it is a tiny thing barely bigger than your average flea. That’s a tiny amount of faith, but here Jesus says that with that tiny amount of faith nothing is impossible. Maybe it’s just me, but there have been times in my life when just a little faith was all I had going for me. There were times when I faced impossible situations and literally had to make myself believe that God would even consider coming through for a miserable sinner like me. But God used that little bit of faith I had and multiplied it like He did with those few loaves of bread and pieces of fish when He fed the crowds of thousands of people and had food left over. God can use a little bit of faith. But He will not work with doubt.

Allow me to explain. There have been times in my life where I was really upset about something happening and I prayed but then I would vent to those around me about how impossible the situation was. I would ramble on about how the worst case scenario was bound to be the end result. I was doubting God and even going so far as to speak it. What a terrible witness that made me, right?

I have learned, however, when things are impossible is when God shows up and shows off. This is when He uses that situation to show us He is Almighty God or El Shaddai. If we have a little faith and are willing to trust in Him, He will come through for us. He may not do exactly as we ask, but He will do what is best for us. For those of us who love Him and are called according to His purpose, He works all things out for our good (Romans 8:28).

Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Why would God do anything for someone who does not believe in Him? Why would God perform a miracle for someone who does not diligently seek Him?

When we face troubled times is when it is hardest to believe. People often ask why God would allow bad things to happen to good people. But the Bible tells us in Romans 5:3 that trials produce perseverance and perseverance produces character and character produces hope. This is how God grows us as Christians. If we fail these tests, we will never grow. We will never become mature Christians.

Remaining faithful in difficult times exercises our faith like resistance training exercises our muscles. It produces endurance just as cardio training produces endurance in our bodies.

When the going gets tough, the Christian must give it over to God and believe in Him. If you are experiencing troubles and have even a little bit of faith, God can work with that. Give your troubles over to Him. Pray for Him to strengthen your faith during these trying times. Lean on Him and don’t rely on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). Boldly call the devil a liar when he tells you God won’t come through or you don’t deserve it.

Exercising our faith means that when our faith is weak, we still believe. We still trust in God and believe in Him. He can use, multiply, and strengthen a little faith. Stand strong in times of trouble and know that He is right there with you. Give Him the little amount of faith you do have and watch what He can do with it.

Have a great day!