Shared by Patricia A. Marriott
Faith that grows and is forever green has its genesis in what may seem small and insignificant, like a mustard seed. In ideal conditions, a mustard seed tree can grow to be over 30 feet tall. This large, sweeping tree has a variety of uses. It has medicinal purposes, is used for oil, condiments, herbs and spices to name a few.
Our growth in the Kingdom of God is quite similar. Our faith has small beginnings, but it blossoms and grows. As faith grows, we begin to embrace the biblical truth that by faith, we believe that with God all things are possible (Mark 19:26).
Consider the story of Hannah (I Samuel 1:1-28):
- Hannah was barren; the Lord had "shut up her womb" (vs.5)
- Hannah was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore. Hannah vowed a vow to the Lord of Hosts, asking by faith for him to look on her affliction. Hannah's prayer was heard. She would become the mother of Samuel. For this child she prayed (vs.10)
- We see Hannah's faith grow. She made a decision to go to the temple and pray, by faith. She made a vow to God by faith. She received the word of the priest Eli, by faith. She left the temple with an activated faith; she was able to eat and was no longer downcast (vs. 17-19)
- She gave birth to a son, Samuel (vs. 20), who would become a prophet and a judge.
Consider the story of Ruth (Ruth 1-4)
- Ruth, the Moabitess was the daughter-in-law of Naomi. Both women were widows. Naomi lost both of her sons (Mahlon and Chilion), one of whom was Ruth's husband. Ruth had no children.
- Both women were heartbroken and grieving. Naomi mournfully pleaded with both her daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah to go back home to their families. Orpah went back to her family, but Ruth chose to stay with Naomi. In her depths of despair and brokenness, she took a step of faith vowing that Naomi's God would be her God.
- Ruth later married Boaz and had a son, Obed, who would become the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David and part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
Consider the Canaanite Woman (Matthew 15:21-28)
- This woman's daughter was vexed with a devil. By faith, this Canaanite woman cried out to Jesus for mercy.
- She worshipped the Lord and pleaded again for help. Jesus' response? "O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt." (Matthew 15:28)
- Her daughter was made whole that very hour.
Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:1-80)
- An angel spoke to Mary informing her that she would conceive a son to be named Jesus.
- The angel gave Mary reassurance, encouraged her not to fear, and informed her that she had found favor with God
- Mary's response to the angel's message was th.at of faith, "Be it unto me according to thy word" (Luke 1:38).
We can see the origin of faith in the lives of each of these women. We can also see how their faith grew. May they serve as an example to us. It only takes a small amount of faith, but as we take one day at a time and maintain hope and focus of the LORD, our faith will grow. It is a biblical truth!
