In Touch Daily Devotional 
by Dr. Charles Stanley

Wednesday October 5, 2005

Levels of Faith in the Believer’s Life

MARK 9:14-24

 

The theme of faith permeated the Lord’s ministry. Jesus esteemed complete trust like Abraham’s and commended those with strong confidence in God, such as the centurion. He also urged those with weak convictions to believe. Many of us fall into this last category — over and over, we wrestle with doubt and worry.

 

Five times in the book of Matthew, Jesus pointed out examples of little faith. First, in Matthew 6:30, He mentioned people who believed their resources were insufficient. Like them, we can become anxious about not having enough time, energy, or money. Then there was the terrible storm — Jesus slept through it, but the disciples were afraid. Continuing fear shows lack of trust (Matthew 8:23-26).

Next, Peter allowed doubt to take over. At Jesus’ command, he started to walk on water but then sank when unbelief set in. (Matthew 14:31) A fourth case concerned the disciples’ failure to think through Jesus’ teachings and actions to reach the right conclusion. (Matthew 16:5-12) In the fifth situation, the disciples had successfully cast out demons in previous attempts but were unable to do so this time. (Matthew 17:14-21) Because their faith was so little, they lacked the divine power to carry out a harder task.

 

In order to grow spiritually stronger, we must take our eyes off our circumstances and look to the Lord. By trusting in His character and believing in His promises, we can overcome anxiety and disbelief and have greater faith. On whom or what are your eyes fixed?

 

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