What Measure is Your Faith: Peach Seed, Apple Seed, or Mustard Seed?

Did you know the measure of your faith is compared to the size of a mustard seed seven times in the Bible? Never was it compared to a peach or an apple seed. Why? For one, because it is the smallest seed on earth and the least expected to grow into a large, sturdy tree. Secondly, I believe is because Jesus wanted to emphasize that the power of even this tiniest measure of faith could move a mountain.

Do I think Jesus meant literally moving a mountain or tree from one place to another? Well, it’s possible because He is all-powerful! But, I believe these mountains are the problems people encounter throughout life. With bare minimal faith, the size of a mustard seed, life can be filled with hope and peace even in the midst of trials.

Matthew 13: 31-32 NIV, “He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so the birds come and perch in its branches.”

Matthew 17:20 NIV, “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.”

Luke 17:6 NIV, “He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.”

What is faith? The Bible defines it this way in Hebrews 11:1 NIV, “Now faith is the confidence in what we hope for and the assurance about what we do not see. . .”

Guess what, you operate in measures of faith on a daily basis. Check this out:

When you flip the light switch, you believe it will turn the light on.

When you set the alarm at night, you believe it will ring at the designated time.

When you turn the ignition, you believe the engine on your vehicle will start.

When you drive down the road, you believe you will make it to your destination.

Get the picture? These are measures of faith in the physical and the unseen. When your action is applied, favorable results typically occur. On occasion, something does go wrong; the battery is dead, roadblocks appear, timing’s not right, or the lights go out.

Isn’t that the way life happens?

The saying is true that bad things happen to good people, and bad things happen to bad people, but the reverse is true as well. Good things happen to the good and the bad.

Why is it so difficult to simply believe God loves us and wants the best for us? Just like turning on the light switch, we must apply the actions of trust and believe if we want God’s unmerited favor.

Trust me! I’ve had enough drama in my life to merit a gold medal, and I’m not talking the Theatre Arts or the Olympics. I could question God many times over- and I have, but that hasn’t caused me to lose faith in His ability to pull me through each situation. My faith level chart may have plummeted at times, but never, not even once, did I doubt His ability. It was my ability that was in question.

Regardless your status, mustard seed faith in God’s power will always carry you through. His response may not come in your desired timing, and there may be hurdles to jump along the way. But the outcome of exercising your faith through your belief and trust in Him will bring more peace than you dreamed possible.

Loretta