“He replied, ‘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 (NIV)
Jesus had just come down from the mountain where He was transfigured before Peter, James, and John. In the valley below, the disciples were struggling. They couldn’t drive a demon out of a boy, and when Jesus did it effortlessly, they asked why they had failed.
His answer? “Because you have so little faith.”
It’s a gentle rebuke—but also an incredible encouragement. Jesus doesn’t ask for enormous faith. He doesn’t say you need mountain-sized belief to move mountains. Instead, He points to one of the smallest seeds—the mustard seed.
What matters most isn’t the size of your faith. It’s the presence of it. Even the tiniest bit of genuine trust in God has the power to move what looks unmovable. Mountains of fear, doubt, sickness, sin, or discouragement—none of them are bigger than the God we trust.
This verse reminds us that faith is not about our ability, but about God’s power. Our role is to believe, even just a little, and His role is to act.
When we feel like we’re barely holding on—when our faith is worn down to a whisper—Jesus says, That’s enough. A mustard seed of faith is more powerful than we think, because God honors even the smallest step of trust.
Three Truths from Matthew 17:20:
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God responds to sincere faith, not perfect faith.
If your faith feels weak, don’t be discouraged. Bring what you have—God can work with it. -
Mountains can and do move.
Obstacles aren’t forever. With God, the impossible becomes possible. -
Your faith may be small, but your God is not.
It’s not the size of your faith, but the greatness of your God that brings miracles.
Prayer:
Lord, sometimes my faith feels so small. But I thank You that even a mustard seed faith is enough in Your hands. Help me to trust You in the face of fear, discouragement, and impossibility. I choose to believe that You can move the mountains in my life. Strengthen my heart and remind me that nothing is too hard for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.