{"id":1058,"date":"2023-07-12T14:41:37","date_gmt":"2023-07-12T14:41:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chministries.org\/?p=1058"},"modified":"2023-10-06T13:17:39","modified_gmt":"2023-10-06T13:17:39","slug":"healing-scriptures-matthew-1720","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chministries.org\/blog\/healing-scriptures-matthew-1720\/","title":{"rendered":"Healing Scriptures – Matthew 17:20"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\u201cHe 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, \u2018Move from here to there,\u2019 and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nMatthew 17:20 [NIV]<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Faith of a mustard seed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do you know the size of a mustard seed? It\u2019s usually around 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter, comparable to the tip of a pen. Essentially, it\u2019s very <\/em>small. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mustard seed faith is a bit of an odd idea, but historically, mustard seeds were used as a figure of speech to indicate something minuscule. But shouldn\u2019t our faith be large rather than small? Why would Jesus want us to have faith the size of a mustard seed\u2014minuscule faith?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not that Jesus wants our faith to be that small\u2014it\u2019s more of a comparison to draw awareness to our shortcomings. When Jesus uses a mustard seed as an example of faith, He\u2019s telling us our faith is less than minuscule. Our faith can\u2019t measure up to even a mustard seed. It\u2019s a sobering reality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moving mountains<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Surely, if Jesus uses mustard seed as a figure of speech, then our ability to move mountains is a figure of speech, as well\u2014right? Scripture suggests otherwise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

God performed many miracles through His chosen vessels all throughout Scripture. Moses parted the Red Sea through God\u2019s leading. Elijah called fire down from Heaven through his faith in God. The apostles performed miracles of healing, casting out demons, and even raising the dead throughout their lifetimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knowing the way God has used His people in the past, is it outside the realm of possibility to suggest we could move mountains? No, it\u2019s not. But we need to understand what this faith means because otherwise, you won\u2019t be telling a mountain to move with much success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God’s will<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever called out to God, begging Him to change an outcome, to meet a need, or provide healing, only for the prayer to seemingly go unanswered? Most people can relate. God is faithful to provide, but His provision doesn\u2019t always look the way we picture it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We struggle with faith because we want God to fit into our own plans instead of trusting in His plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God isn\u2019t a genie in a bottle, ready to perform miracles at our whim. 1 John 5:14-15 NIV<\/a> says, \u201cThis is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us\u2014whatever we ask\u2014we know that we have what we asked of Him.\u201d God acts on prayers that align with His will.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cGod isn\u2019t a genie in a bottle, ready to perform miracles at our whim.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Moses parting the Red Sea, Elijah calling down fire, and the apostles performing miracles all have one thing in common\u2014God\u2019s will. They weren\u2019t calling on God as a source of power, using His might and majesty however they wanted. On the contrary, God used them as vessels to perform His<\/em> wonders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through faith, they opened themselves up to God\u2019s leading, and God accomplished many magnificent miracles because of this faith. It wasn\u2019t their own power\u2014it was God\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practical application<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How do we achieve mustard seed faith? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, we need to humble ourselves. Romans 12:3 NIV<\/a> says, \u201cDo not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.\u201d Our faith comes from God\u2014not our own power. As such, we need to embrace our need for Him and accept that we can\u2019t achieve faith on our own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knowing that God supplies our faith, the next step is to pray. Philippians 2:13<\/a> states, \u201cfor it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.\u201d God supplies the desire to follow Him. Without His help, we can\u2019t align with His will. If we ask God to supply us with faith and a desire to serve Him, He will hear us; 1 John 5:14-15<\/a> gives us that assurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prayer is the most important step, but we also need to live out our faith. If we\u2019re aligned with God\u2019s will, there will be fruit in our life<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV<\/a> says, \u201cBut the fruit of the Spirit is love<\/a>, joy<\/a>, peace<\/a>, patience<\/a>, kindness<\/a>, goodness<\/a>, faithfulness<\/a>, gentleness, self-control<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also have assura nce in John9:31<\/a> that if we do His will, he hears us: \u201cWe know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does His will.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we acknowledge our need for God, ask for a desire to serve Him and show His fruit<\/a>, we then tune in to His leading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s only when we\u2019re attuned to His leading that we truly desire the things of God. There our prayers will also align with God\u2019s desires. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s where mustard seed faith begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Matthew<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Reflection Questions<\/p>\n\n\n\n