How do we get through the trials in our lives? As followers of Christ, we know the right answer is, “through faith.” Seems easy enough. Even the Word of God says in Luke 17:6 that we only need faith the size of a mustard seed. According to the Logos Bible Software (https://www.logos.com) and its references therein, “even a small amount of true faith in God is incredibly powerful and can lead to significant spiritual growth, divine intervention, and the accomplishment of great things, just as the tiny mustard seed grows into a large, robust tree”.
I like to think of faith as a mustard seed as something which grows. Like the mustard tree that blooms from the tiny seed, our faith can grow.
How, exactly, do we grow in faith? Spending time reading God’s unchanging Word. Praying to Him. Seeking His forgiveness, guidance, and direction for our lives.
We also grow through the trials we experience; even when our trials do not end as we hoped and prayed. As we get to know our Lord and Savior, trusting in Him, accepting His will over our lives, we grow more in our faith in Him.
I love how the Old Testament story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego depicts their powerful faith. (Daniel 3:16-18) I especially like how the three placed their faith in God’s outcome, good or bad. Their faithfulness benefitted them as well as all Jews living under King Nebuchadnezzar. The three friends of Daniel’s survived the furnace, and the King made a decree protecting the God of the Jews. Surely the faith of these three men had grown larger than a mustard seed.
Read Daniel 3:16-18 again. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood in faith and refused to worship the King’s idol. The three Jews made it clear to the King that they did not have to defend themselves to him because God would save them. However, they also accepted (in faith) that God might not choose to save them, but they would still never worship the King and his idol. In faith they trusted God to act on their behalf and regardless of the outcome they would not waver in who they worshipped. I desire faith that unwavering.
“Heavenly Father, I offer You my mustard seed of faith. That is all I have right now. I ask that You guide me and teach me to grow my faith more each day. Bring Your Word before me. Speak to my heart through Your Holy Spirit. Give guidance to my life and my decisions. Surround me with the fellowship and friendship of other believers. I offer my life to You. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.”
WITHDRAW weekly devotional
Author Kami R. Lobner
“Writing has always been a gift to me from God. There is no better avenue for me to communicate the true depths of my inner most thoughts and feelings. I was encouraged by my family and friends to write…anything…but to just write. So, I prayed about what to write and felt a calling to write daily devotionals. God has used my gift to put on paper what His Scripture means to me; my hope is that what I write hits a chord with those who choose to read the devotionals. I often include a short prayer in the devotionals I write. These prayers are meant to encourage and perhaps challenge us to pursue God’s Presence through scripture reading, meditating on God’s Word, bible studies and fellowship with other believers.
God has been good to me and to my family. I sincerely hope something God led me to put on paper provokes a thought in you or perhaps is that “little thing” you were needing to hear. None of these writings are from me, but from God and His gentle guidance to put thought and prayer on paper.
May God truly bless you!”
