Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH 

‘Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”’  
Matthew 17: 19- 20

It was a miracle.

A boy, tormented by seizures, headed home completely healed –  thanks to Jesus.

You’d expect nothing but joy and amazement among the disciples. Yet, there was a cloud of discouragement among the group. Before Jesus arrived, the disciples tried to heal the boy. They tried and failed.

When the disciples were first sent out, they experienced tremendous success – praying for and seeing people healed – just like Jesus. The Bible notes their amazement at the extraordinary power Christ had given them. But, in this case, they failed.

So, what happened? How was this situation any different?

Faith – or lack of faith – was the problem.

Over time, the disciples shifted from total trust in Christ – from a God-confidence to self-confidence. They began to use the name of Jesus like some magic wand.  Because the name of Jesus had worked in the past, it should work now. They didn’t realize that, ever so subtly, they had begun to have confidence in their abilities rather than relying solely on Christ.

Don’t we do the same thing? Over time, what required incredible faith becomes almost routine. We’ve seen God constantly provide for our families, health, and careers, so when something goes wrong, we blame God. Where was He?

And faith suddenly disappears.

God’s power is not experienced in the present because of our faith in the past. God’s power in the present is experienced when we have faith in the present. 

In this case, Jesus knew their hearts. The disciples had little faith.

Where are you on the faith journey? Have you slowly shifted from God-confidence to self-confidence?

Have problems in your life caused your faith in God to diminish?

Ask God to renew your faith. To change your perspective.  Ask for the faith that trusts in Jesus even in the face of failure.

DIG DEEPER
Read “It’s All About Living Out Our Faith” also by Bryant Wright