19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “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 17:19-20 (ESV)
Oh, bless their hearts. They tried. They really did. But when a father brought his young “epileptic” (not epilepsy as we think today, but selēniazomai, or “lunatic”) son to the apostles for healing, they couldn’t do it. They thought they knew how to heal. They had walked with Jesus and seen Him do it several times.
When the father came to Jesus and told Him what had happened, the Lord rebuked the demon and healed the boy – instantly. Why couldn’t the apostles do what Jesus had done?
They lacked faith.
Have you ever seen a mustard seed? It is tiny. Really, really tiny and insignificant looking. Yet it grows – seemingly impossibly – to a height that can reach nine feet tall. Not only that, it roots very firmly into the soil, making it a very hearty plant as well.
It is through faith that God works through His believers. Now, don’t misunderstand me. God will use His enemies as well. Nothing can or will thwart the will of God. But there is a definite difference: when God uses His enemies, the results are generally not so great for those who stand against Him (think Pharaoh and the Israelites). When God works through the faith of His children, wonderful blessings abound. It may not always appear as such, but, trust me, it is most astounding to see God at work in the life of another!
If we want to do great things for the Lord, we have to have faith in Jesus. Believe and do not doubt. Go and do as God has instructed you. And watch Him move mountains through the work He has given you to do.
(c) 2014 by Chris Courtney. All rights reserved. Please take a moment to share this with anyone you feel would be blessed and encouraged.
The Bouville Diarist 