Increase Our Faith

And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed ... "
~ Luke 17:5-6 (NKJV)

"When you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.' "
~ Luke 17:10 (NKJV)

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
~ Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

The apostles asked the Lord Jesus "Increase our faith" in the context of Jesus directing the difficult act of forgiveness. In the same context, Jesus goes on to discuss obedience not as a feat worthy of commendation, but as our duty—a duty fulfilled through faith.

Faith is so much more than believing of God (as even demons do). It is believing IN Him. It is trusting Him to be so good, so wise, so omniscient, so powerful, and so loving that the only logical course of action is to do as He says and walk in His ways.

1 John 5:3 says, "This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome." (NKJV) If the commandments seem burdensome, we need more faith. If faith comes by the Word of God, we cannot read the Bible too much.

Lord, You are indeed the epitome of love, wisdom, knowledge, power, and goodness. it all sounds so very reasonable to obey You in the moment when no challenge lies before us. In the hour of temptation, please remind us of this. In the hours before temptation, please draw us to Your Word.

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