Not About the Size of Faith
“And the Lord said, ‘If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.'” (Luke 17.6, ESV)
Main Point: The power of faith lies not in its size but in its object—our faithful God.
When the disciples cried “Increase our faith!” they assumed their problem was insufficient faith. But Jesus’ response reveals a profound truth: it’s not about having more faith, stronger faith, or better quality faith. A mustard seed represents the tiniest possible amount of faith, yet Jesus says even that microscopic faith can move trees.
The prophet Habakkuk struggled with this same issue. Standing on his watchtower, he waited for God’s answer, declaring “I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me” (Habakkuk 2:1). Habakkuk’s faith wasn’t perfect or unwavering—he had questions, doubts, and complaints. Yet God honored his faith because it was directed toward the right object.
The power isn’t in the faith itself but in the One in whom we place our faith. The weakest faith, if it rests on the strongest foundation, can accomplish what seems impossible. This is liberating news for those of us who struggle with doubt, who feel our faith is too small or inconsistent.
When it comes to forgiveness, we don’t need to work up more emotional energy or generate stronger feelings of grace toward those who hurt us. We simply need to trust that our God, who has forgiven us completely in Christ, will provide what we need to forgive others. Our tiny, trembling faith in His great faithfulness is enough.
Even when our faith feels as small as a mustard seed—especially then—we can trust that God will work through it to accomplish His purposes in our relationships.
Reflection: The smallest faith in the greatest God can accomplish what seems impossible. How does knowing that faith’s power lies in its object rather than its size encourage me? What “mulberry trees” of unforgiveness need God’s uprooting power?
Prayer: Faithful God, help me trust not in the strength of my believing, but in the strength of the One I believe in. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Responses