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A short while ago, a person who is very dear to me said that she sometimes questions the adequacy of her faith. Amidst all the busyness of life, all the many struggles and issues that she and we all have to face, her faith sometimes gets lost in the shuffle and seems inadequate.
Many times over the years, I have asked God to increase or strengthen my faith. Perhaps you have, too.
Jesus Himself knew that "stuff happens". In Luke 17:1a, Jesus said to His disciples, "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come." (NIV) Then, the disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith in the face of their challenges, and He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you." (Luke 17:6 NIV)
Mustard seeds are tiny — just a millimetre or two, depending on the variety. Yet, Jesus tells us that even that tiny amount of faith is enough to do great — even astounding — things. I wonder if, rather than hoping for greater or stronger faith, Jesus is challenging us to live out the faith that we already have.
Romans 1:17 – For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." (NIV)
The English word "faith" is thought to be derived from the Latin word "fides", which means "trust". In that word, I believe, is the advice that Jesus and the apostle are giving us today: no matter what we are dealing with in life, we can trust Jesus when He tells us that our faith — no matter how small — is sufficient. It is enough to see us through.
Prayer: Loving God, thank You so much for the gift of faith. Sometimes, our faith feels strong and mighty, and sometimes, it feels weak and inadequate. But however it feels to us, we are blessed by Your assurance that no matter what, our faith is sufficient. Help us to embrace that assurance as we face the challenges in our lives. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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Thanks. I needed that!
Thanks Scott, blessings.
Thanks for the good word, Scott.
Such an important reminder for us all, thanks and blessings Scott!
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Blessings.
AMEN, Scott! Thank you for writing today’s devotional
(Texas)
Scott,
Many thanks for your devotional. A wonderful reminder.
Thanks Scott. Just what I needed to hear this morning.
(Manitoba)
Amen these are words I VERY often need to hear and remember!!! May God bless and keep you.
Thanks, Scott. It seems faith is slippery. Even though we profess to trust God, doubts creep in so easily. Thanks for your words of faith.
Thank you for today’s message! To use the faith we already have! I needed that!
(P.E.I.)
Thank you for this reassuring message. I don’t believe I have read anything from you in the past. Thank you!
(On)
Hi Scott! It is nice to see you writing a devotional once again. Thank you for the reminder of faith and the mustard seed. We do get sorely tested in this world!! Have a great day!
Thank you, Scott, for today’s devotion.
I like it.
Thanks and blessings,
(Quebec)
Thank you, Scott,
Yes, sometimes I have asked for increase in my faith so this a positive reminder about the mustard seed.
God bless.
Greetings Scott and thanks for this mindful and encouraging devotional. Yes, we sure do need to keep strong faith and also be thankful that if we stray a bit, our Lord is always there to get us back on track. Blessings for your special writing.
Thanks Scott! At last some solid teaching! Not just “life stories”. This has helped me “gird my loins” once again for the journey through “the valley of the shadow of death.”
Bless you for sharing this wisdom.
(BC)
Brother Scott
Thank for your devotion.
I have been struggling lately, and not seeing any fruit. But this reminder, reminds me of God’s faithfulness to me and not my own. I’m hanging onto the little faith I do have in my present circumstance.
Praise His name.
Blessings, your brother in Christ.
Problems stimulate our faith – we know that we need God’s guidance and prayer is the answer.
Thank you for your devotional and challenge to continue by faith and to keep mindful that faith comes by hearing the Word of God.
Blessings.
Hi Scott,
What an awesome Devotional today, it came at the perfect time. My husband is going for an aortic valve replacement tomorrow. I pray my faith will be sufficient and that God will be there beside us no matter what. He always hears our prayers.
Thanks again for the Devotional today.
(On.)
Dear Scott,
What a lovely reminder that many of us need to hear on our journey of life.
It’s inspiring and a notable positive reinforcement of faith when we wonder about our progress, and seemingly, regression of our faith. I think most Christians including myself, “teeter” on with our doubts and assurance of “being enough” for God.
(On.)
Thank you, Scott. This is a challenging thought: I wonder if, rather than hoping for greater or stronger faith, Jesus is challenging us to live out the faith that we already have.
Hello Scott,
I had been wondering whether you had stopped writing devotionals. Today, as I was catching up, I was delighted to see your “Sufficient Faith” contribution.
It was timely. My wife has been ill now for almost 21 years. She faces regular discouragement, and the encouragement that “just a mustard seed” will see her through is a good word at the right time.
Blessings.