Matthew 17:20
These men had healed others on other occasions. Why could they not now? What caused their failure? Jesus says it is unbelief. But, did they not adequately believe before? Were they not able to heal, and cast out demons, on other occasions? Many will point, at this juncture to the amount of faith they had. They will say that the disciples had enough faith for some things, but not for others. Instead, I will say to you, it has to do with the amount of their doubt, rather than the amount of their faith. Jesus said it was due to their unbelief. When we say weak faith, we are not saying no faith. Unbelief means no faith. It is the opposite of faith, the enemy of it.
He gives them the illustration concerning the mustard seed, not to say that their faith is less than a mustard seed. He is saying that faith may start small, but can make a big difference. Doubt, on the other hand, stifles faith. And, this is what Jesus is warning them about. Unbelief is doubt, sown by the enemy. The disciples had not any less faith that day than they had many times before as they healed others. But, doubt crept in. Doubt is an affront to God. It calls him into question. Jesus expects our faith to be small at first. But, he warns us against doubt.
Some may say I am splitting hairs. However, Jesus himself says that some have great faith, and some have little faith. It is accurate to say that those with great faith have little trouble with doubt. But, it is doubt, not the relative strength of our faith, that poses an obstacle to the working of God. This is true with other things. Those with great humility have little trouble with pride. But, those with little humility will not find their lack a problem God cannot solve. Instead, it is the root of pride that is their undoing.
Bible Reading: Ezekiel 3:1-6:14
Scripture Memory: 1 John 4:16 “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for helping us to be able by Your power to overcome the wicked one. It is great to know that we can be victorious in this life. Without that, it is all so frustrating. Oh Father, thank You for strength in You! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.
Prayer Requests: Pray for a family that is under the weather. Pray for a man in the hospital. Pray for a little girl in the hospital.
Journal Entry #13343