Lessons of Faith From the Mustard Seed

Daily Devotional – Wednesday, December 21, 2022
“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 17:20 (NKJV)

Today I engaged my favourite therapeutic pastime – walking in the woods. I wanted to stretch out my legs, get a bout of fresh air and clear my mind. The gigantic trees ensured I enjoyed my stay at the heart of nature.

Seeds Defying Formidable Challenges

Though I wanted to concentrate on important thoughts and ideas, I could not help but think about the tall trees and their huge trunks. How could tiny seeds contain such enormous trees? God must have placed a life principle in the seeds.

For the seeds to germinate and grow into trees, nonetheless, there was need for the right conditions, including air, water and warmth. The tree also needed to continue growing in the face of droughts, floods and other risks.

Faith and the Mustard Seed

Were there seeds that had not yet germinated as their counterparts grew into the sky? Yes, there were. Were there seeds that would never grow into trees? Yes, there were.

A powerful verse then interrupted my musings. “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 17:20).

Limiting the Power of God

A mustard seed is small but inside it is a massive tree that will provide sustenance and shade to human beings and animals. Similarly, in every human beings God has placed gifts and talents that, if exploited effectively, can propel men and women to heights previously unimagined.

It takes faith to look beyond our current limitations and achieve our potentials. While some reach out by faith and achieve the extraordinary, others despise themselves and live way below their inherent abilities. They Limit God’s power in their lives.

Learn From the Mustard Seed

Some also allow criticism and ridicule from society to destroy their dreams and ambitions. Instead of cultivating the few capabilities they know they possess, they shrink in fear and apathy. Eventually, the mustard seed dies and with it the invisible gigantic tree.

If you exercise even a little faith in God and cooperate with Him in harnessing your abilities, you will grow into an enormous mustard tree in all aspects of your life. You will move the mountains of life that stand between you and a long, productive and fulfilling life.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, breathe life into my mustard-seed faith and enable me to move the limiting ‘mountains in my life.