“Increase our faith.” (Luke 17: 5).
The Apostles pleaded with Jesus. Watching Jesus teach, pray and perform miracles, they were able to isolate the key difference between them and the Master: FAITH! That is the missing ingredient.
What is faith? The Letter to the Hebrews defines faith as: "Confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." (Hebrews 11: 1).
A common man's definition might go like this: Faith is absolute confidence in the promises of God in the Divine Scriptures. The one who shows such confidence knows that God Never Fails!
The type of faith that the Apostles saw in Jesus in His public ministry is exactly the same type of faith that distinguished the heavy weights in Israel's history.
"This is what the ancients were commended for." (Hebrews 11: 2). Then follows a long list of Who is Who in the history of Israel concluding with... "These were all commended for their faith." (Hebrews 11: 39).
The Apostles understood clearly that without this magic ingredient of Faith added to their character, they would end up as mediocres or as nothing.
“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”
(Luke 17: 6).
Why is faith crucial for living the Christian life?
"For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith." (1 John 5: 4).
Do you know that we are in the state of constant spiritual warfare? Every one of us? Most of the trials you face are instances of this struggle.
"These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." (1 Peter 1: 7).
Therefore, stand firm and fight valiantly in order to win. Do not be scared to death when you encounter obstacles, disappointments, delays, sicknesses, pennilessness, etc.
"Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."
(James 1: 2 - 3).
Genuine faith must be tested by trials. So was the faith of Abraham and Mary and the faith of the great ones of Israel. Why do you think that your faith should be different?
Jesus said to one of the Saints:
"I promise to be your strength in proportion to the trust you place on me." This encourages me a lot and I respond: "Lord Jesus I trust in You. Increase my trust!"
When you surrender yourself,
"As your days, so shall your strength be." (Deuteronomy 33: 25).
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