Faith as small as a mustard seed (2)

A mustard see is among the smallest of seeds, typically measuring about 3 mm in diameter. Yet Jesus chose it to guage the faith that can move a mountain (Matthew 17:20) or uproot and order a mulberry tree to be planted in the sea (Luke 17:6). Certainly a mustard seed is very small, while moving a mountain is a great task. Why such a contrast? I believe that what Jesus is saying is that it is not the greatness of faith that brings about mighty acts, but it is the faith in the great and awesome God, who is able to do all those mighty acts. In fact, God chooses the weak and the foolish to shame the strong and wise (I Corinthians 1:17). That is why Paul confesses that he delights in his weaknesses, "for when I am weak, then I am strong" (II Corinthians 12:10).

In fact, the Bible is full of examples of God using the weak, who nevertheless put their trust in the Lord. When Gideon was going out against the Midianites, he initially had thirty-two thousand men. The LORD said to Gideon, "You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands." (Judges 7:2). God did not want Israel to boast that her own strength saved her. God put the thirty two thousand through a series of tests, until only 300 men remained. Then God used them to defeat the Midianites, the Amalekites and all the eastern peoples, who were so numerous that "their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore." (Judges 7:12).

Or, consider the example of boy David. When David volunteered to go and fight the Philistine giant Goliath, Saul observed, "you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth." (I Samuel 17:33). In other words, on human terms, there was no way that David could be matched against Goliath. Even when Goliath saw David, all Goliath saw was a "boy, ruddy and handsome," and he despised him (I Samuel 17:42). Goliath did not know about God, the Lord of hosts, in whose name David was coming. David knew the Lord and declared boldly to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." (I Samuel 17:45).

It was not the boy David who defeated the giant Goliath; rather it was God the Lord Almighty who was with David and defeated Goliath. It was not Gideon and his 300 men who defeated the innumerable Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples; rather it was God the Lord Almighty who brought fear into the hearts of these peoples. Likewise, it is not the person with the faith like a mustard seed, who is moving the mountain. It is rather the Mighty and Awesome God, in whom the faith is. Because the faith is in the Mighty Lord, however little the faith may be, it can be so powerful.

Yes, Lord, You are abounding in love and faithfulness (Exodus 34:6). You are entirely trustworthy and I put my trust in You. Though I am weak, You are strong. Though I am foolish, You are wise. Though I am limited, You are limitless and infinite in power and authority, honor and glory, and wisdom and knowledge. When I have faith in You, that is when I can reap the benefits of Your infinite wisdom and power. Help me trust You more and more each day. In Jesus' Name. Amen.