February 20

Matthew 17:14-27 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him." And Jesus answered, "O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me." And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast 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." (v.14-20)

Observation

The disciples who are walking with Jesus and are witnesses to his miracles lacked faith when they had an opportunity to heal the epileptic son in the name of Christ. It’s amazing to read that even with the evidence of God tangibly in front of man, when the authority and opportunity are given to glorify God we lack faith and instead try to do it on our own. Jesus teaches that even with a tiny bit of faith mountains can be moved because of the power of God.

I’m reminded of the many opportunities I had where all I needed was a little faith and all I had to do was trust and follow Christ. Yet, I did not. How many times must I fail to understand that all I need is a little faith as small as a grain of mustard seed and trust it? How many times must I fail to understand that I am limiting God’s glory and power? When will I let go of my own abilities and control, which is so limited?

Application

With my little faith, I will seek God’s glory and trust in the Lord. I will not hesitate to believe in the power of God.

Prayer

Dear God, we glorify you as the king of all. We thank you for your infinite love and the ultimate sacrifice you made. We are sinners and are not worthy. Please forgive us for lacking faith when all we need is just a speck of it. Use us Lord to glorify you and teach us to rely on your power to heal and love. All this we ask in the name of our savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

--AK