A foggy morning turned into an absolutely beautiful day! Thank You, Father, for Your protective watch over myself and my fellow bus drivers this morning. My prayers were answered!
Luke 17:5-6 (<<click here to read the passage)
Reading through the notes of my study Bible* brought something to light that had never crossed my mind!
Here is today’s passage.
The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.”
The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you!
Jesus gave a response to the apostles’ question but if you read the question and the answer He gave; He did not give them the answer for which they were looking. The answer He gave them was the answer they needed to hear, mainly because they were asking the wrong question!
Not for a minute do I doubt the sincerity of their request – they wanted to be more faithful and there’s nothing wrong with that! But what they were asking for, was an increased quantity of faith. Jesus’ answer pointed out that quantity wasn’t the issue – quality was what was needed!
My study Bible* asks, “What is faith? It is complete trust and loyalty to God that results in a willingness to do his will.”
We can have tons of faith but if we don’t act on it, it is useless. We must have complete and humble obedience to God’s will, and a readiness to do whatever he calls us to do.
In James 2:17 Jesus’ brother very clearly states,
So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. NLT
In the context of today’s text, Jesus is speaking of forgiveness – not just once but ever how many times forgiveness is requested. That’s not easy to do but even a speck of faith that is genuine and full of complete and humble obedience to what God wants in our lives will be enough!
Lord Jesus, may we be ready to do whatever you call us to do. May we strive to trust You completely and may we have a stalwart loyalty to You as You work in and through us! Amen!
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Oct 5th, 2020, Mon, 12:32 pm
