The Faith of a Mustard Seed: Trusting in the Power of God

“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 

When faced with life's challenges, it is easy to think that for God to act powerfully in our lives, we need great faith. We might feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of our problems and wonder if our faith is large enough for God to work. In the Bible, we see remarkable miracles—such as mountains being moved, the sick healed, and broken lives restored—and we often believe that we need this kind of great faith to experience such wonders.

But Jesus speaks a radical truth that turns our understanding upside down. In Matthew 17:20, He tells us that even faith as small as a mustard seed is enough for God to do the impossible. What does this mean for us, and how does it change the way we approach our relationship with God?

A mustard seed is minuscule—nearly imperceptible to the naked eye. And yet, Jesus declares that such a tiny seed of faith has the power to move mountains.

This revelation shifts our focus away from the size of our faith and points us to the object of our faith: God. The power of faith is not in its magnitude, but in its sincerity and in trusting the right source.

Faith is not about having everything figured out, nor is it about having unshakable belief at all times. It is about placing our trust in God, even when we feel uncertain, knowing that He is able to accomplish more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

The beautiful truth is that faith is a gift from God. We are not required to create great faith from within ourselves. Instead, God gives each of us a measure of faith—no matter how small—and He nourishes it as we draw near to Him.

In Romans 12:3, the apostle Paul tells us that “God has distributed to each of you a measure of faith.” Faith begins with God and grows in us as we nurture our relationship with Him. Even a small seed of faith, when planted in the soil of God’s promises, can grow into something mighty.

So, how do we cultivate that faith? How do we grow the faith of a mustard seed?

1. Immerse Yourself in God’s Word

Faith thrives when we grow in knowledge of God’s character and His promises. The Bible is full of testimonies of His faithfulness, which fuel our trust in Him. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” The more we fill our hearts with the truth of God's Word, the more our faith is strengthened.

2. Pray with Expectancy

Prayer is the lifeblood of a growing faith. When we bring our concerns before God, even with small faith, He listens. Through prayer, we learn to trust God’s sovereignty and His timing. And as we see His responses—sometimes in ways we don’t expect—our faith expands. Faith grows in the soil of prayer.

3. Remember God’s Faithfulness

Reflecting on God’s past faithfulness strengthens our confidence that He will act in the present. Psalm 77:11 says, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.” When we recall how God has provided for us in the past, we are reminded that He is unchanging, and our faith in His ability to act today grows.

4. Take Steps of Obedience

Faith is not just a feeling or a thought—it’s a choice. It is active, demonstrated through obedience. Even the smallest step of obedience is an act of faith, a declaration that we trust God and believe He will be with us. With every step, we find that our faith increases as we experience God's provision and guidance.

You don’t need enormous faith to see God move. A mustard seed of faith—a tiny, sincere trust in God—can open the door for the mighty power of God to work in your life. His ability to act does not depend on the size of your faith but on His greatness and His willingness to use whatever faith you offer, no matter how small.

So, don’t worry about having "great" faith. Don’t compare your faith to others or think you need to have perfect belief. Place the faith you have—whether it’s small or imperfect—into the hands of a great God. He is able to do the impossible, and He can use your mustard seed faith to move mountains.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the gift of faith. Even in the smallest measure, we know that You are able to do great things. Help us to trust You more fully, to step out in obedience, and to rest in Your faithfulness. May our mustard seed faith grow, as we keep our eyes on You, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.