Matthew 17:20: “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.”
When I was nine years old, I received a mustard seed necklace as a birthday present. The symbol of a mustard seed is one of the most potent symbols used in the Bible. It signified having faith and hope. The mustard seed, which is minuscule in size, grows into a tree that is 8-12 feet high. Therefore the mustard seed represents even if our faith starts out small, it can be used by God to grow and increase our awareness that God has no limits to answer our prayers. It just takes a little amount to start out with of faith in God and trust God enough to do what he says. It is always about obedience. We can then be of benefit so that other people can depend upon us for needed encouragement and reassurance.
But sometimes our faith falters or is weak. We start out with the best of intentions, but then in creep fear or doubts. Peter had that same experience and reached out to Jesus in Matthew 14:30-31: “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” I am there with Peter many times. I have to remind myself of God’s name– El Roi – He sees me. Next, Jehovah Shammah means He is ever present. I need a broader awareness of God’s presence and His greatness. Then my apprehension will be replaced by the peace of God giving me unclouded tranquility – Eirene – peace.
I no longer have my mustard seed necklace, so I looked on Amazon to see what I could find. I found mustard seed earrings that I liked better. They were the same design as the necklace I wore as a child and excitedly ordered them. I wanted to remind myself when I wear this symbol of faith, that it only takes starting out with a small amount of faith, being obedient to God, and then watching Him providing solutions to my circumstances that are out of my control.
Questions
- What is on your list of things out of your control that are heavy on your mind this week? Is it your work schedule, a relationship gone wrong, something new you are trying to learn, or something physically, or a financial problem? Maybe a combination of all five?
- If God handed you His “to do list today” what would it be? Would you get it done? Think about what would be on God’s list for you to do today. Then let Him handle the rest.
“Stress accentuates the presence and power of God.” Taming the Lion’s Roar. Handling Fear in the Midst of a Trial. Lesson 8: Resisting Fear, page 39. May our mustard seed size of faith today grow, so we may take hold of the victory God has in store as we watch with anticipation God’s intended benefit and reward in our lives for His glory.
Listen to Jordan Feliz’s Lyric Video song “Witness.” He wrote this after struggling with anxiety and panic attacks. He came to realize that our future is the inheritance of God and He has reign and sovereignty over it all.