How Much Faith is Enough? Devotional Guide
Matthew 17:14-21:
“When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. ‘Lord, have mercy on my son,’ he said. ‘He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.’ ‘You unbelieving and perverse generation,’ Jesus replied, ‘how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.’ Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, ‘Why couldn’t we drive it out?’ 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.’”
Monday – Jesus emphasizes the importance of faith, stating that even faith as small as a mustard seed can accomplish great things. This suggests that it’s not the size of our faith that matters, but the object of our faith—Jesus Himself. Reflect on what it means to have faith in your own life. Are there mountains you need to move?
Tuesday – Jesus addresses the disciples’ inability to heal the boy, attributing it to their lack of faith. This serves as a reminder that doubt can hinder our spiritual growth and effectiveness. Consider areas in your life where doubt may be holding you back from experiencing God’s power.
Wednesday – In some translations, Jesus mentions that certain demons can only be driven out through prayer and fasting. This highlights the importance of spiritual discipline and dependence on God. Reflect on your prayer life and seek ways to deepen your relationship with God through prayer.
Thursday – Spend a few moments in prayer, asking God to reveal areas in your life where you need to strengthen your faith. Write down a “mountain” in your life that you feel needs moving, and commit to praying about it daily for the next week.
Friday – Faith is a journey. As you cultivate a relationship with Jesus, your faith will grow, and you will begin to see the mountains in your life shift. Trust in his timing and his power.
Pray: Dear Lord, thank you for your incredible power and compassion. Help me to trust in you more deeply and to bring my doubts and fears before you. Strengthen my faith, even if it feels small, and help me to understand the importance of prayer in my life. May I always seek you in times of trouble and remember that nothing is impossible for those who believe. Amen.