Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 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
Those disciples, confused about their inability, came to Jesus and asked why they failed. He tells them it is because of their little faith. And then says if they just had a little faith they could move mountains. Wait, what?
Is it that they need more? Is God responding to the volume of our faith? How can I create more? How can I grow it?
Notice the question the disciples asked – why couldn’t WE drive it out. The temptation is to measure myself. How much faith do I have or what am I able to do with that faith. But that puts me in control and makes God a vending machine.
The verse above is rendered in another translation, “because of your unbelief.” They doubted God - or maybe weren’t even making God part of the equation. It’s possible they were believing in their own ability to tap in to God’s power, and not trusting in the character of God.
Jesus then said, “if you have faith” (now using a different word), you can move mountains. Nothing is impossible with this kind of faith. Pistis, the Greek word used here, is defined as conviction, an unwavering reliance on God. It is an active word in the sense that it doesn’t relate to head knowledge. It is an assurance of who God is that guides our actions.
The contrast then, is not how much or how little faith I have, but rather if that faith is rightly placed. If my trust is in God and His true character, even in the smallest amount, He will work through me in powerful ways.
I need to be less concerned about how much faith I have and more focused on the object of my faith. If my confidence is solely on Him, He will use even the tiniest seeds of that trust for His great plan. Maybe even to move mountains.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
