Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– JC Ryle
Faith of a Mustard Seed
Don’t have much faith? That’s okay because Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible” (Matthew 17:20). Jesus meets us at our greatest point of need, even if all the faith we have is tiny.
Help My Unbelief
When a father took his demon-possessed son to Jesus, he was desperate for help; so Jesus told the father, “If you can! All things are possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23). “Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, ‘I believe; help my unbelief’” (Mark 9:24)! Wait a second! The father said he believed but then said, “Help my unbelief!” Why? Because he had only a tiny mustard seed-size faith. So he asked Jesus to help him in his unbelief. Jesus did. The boy was healed, and God was glorified.
Walking on Water
The Apostle Peter must have had more faith than the other disciples at the time because only he asked Jesus if he could go to Him and walk on the water as Jesus was doing (Matthew 14:29). Jesus said, “Come,” and Peter did. Peter actually walked on water for a short time; but then “when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me’” (Matthew 14:30). His faith suddenly disappeared because he took his eyes off Jesus. Don’t be too hard on Peter, though. At least he had enough faith to try. I noticed that none of the other disciples tried.
A Little Is a Lot
When all you have is a little bit of faith, cry out to Jesus like the father did: “I believe; help my unbelief.” Or say to Jesus, “Help strengthen my faith in You, Jesus.” Jesus will meet us at our point of need, even if it’s having faith in God. Faith in God is most pleasing to Him, even if it’s only the size of a tiny mustard seed.
Conclusion
J.C. Ryle is so right by saying, “Even when our faith is small, the Lord is ready to help us.” Even if you have a mustard seed-size faith and need help in your unbelief, trust God because with God a little is a lot, if we’re talking about faith.
