Two-minute read.
“So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
Matthew 17:20-21 KJV
Little faith.
After trying unsuccessfully to drive a demon out of a man, the disciples ask Jesus why they couldn’t perform the miracle. Christ responds, “Because of your unbelief.” The disciple’s little faith prevented them from driving out the demon. Not all translations include verse 21.
How often does our “little faith” stop us from seeing God’s miraculous events? At the beginning of the year, I began volunteering on the prayer team of an international organization that partners with churches worldwide to help spread the Gospel. At my first meeting, we had a praise report from a pastor in the Middle East.
“Will you believe in Jesus when he heals you?” the pastor boldly asked the Muslim man who had skin cancer.
“Sure, but I don’t think it will work.”
As the pastor began praying, the cancerous spots started to disappear; by the time he finished, no more cancer remained. The man immediately gave his life to Christ and began a new journey.
Ever since the meeting, I’ve thought about our limited faith in America. The land of plenty doesn’t leave us wanting much. The disciples got used to working miracles, treating it like a bestowed power from God. However, when put to the test, it showed their weak faith. In the U.S., we have human answers readily available for most of our issues, turning to them instead of divine power and trusting man over God.
Fasting and prayer connect us to the Lord, reminding us of His divine presence. Denying ourselves and trusting God’s provision builds our faith and gives us direction we can find no other way. Miracles happen when we trust Jesus, follow His leading, and tap into His power. Some of the most miraculous events happen in ourselves as Christ transforms our lives, making us more like Him.
With faith the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. Impossibility doesn’t exist in God’s vocabulary; with the Lord, anything can happen. But without faith, nothing will change. The Lord doesn’t expect us to understand everything He does, but God does want us to believe He can do it, whatever the situation. Allow the Miracle Maker to work in your life. Draw closer to God through fasting and prayer, access His divine power, and wait to see the miracles the Lord will perform.
Journal Questions:
- How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
- What area do you have little faith in today?
- How can fasting and prayer help you have more faith?
Prayer:
Lord, forgive us for not having enough faith. As we fast and pray, encourage our trust in You, and help us believe in miracles as You transform our lives. Don’t allow the overflow of blessings in our world to stop us from relying on You. Please help us live life to the fullest as we try to obey and follow You to the best of our ability. IJNIP. Amen
