Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

15 April 2025

Reading From Luke 13:1-22

“Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”

—Luke 13:18-19

     These words of Jesus remind me of Matthew 17:19-20 when the disciples were unable to cast a demon out of a tormented man.  “The disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 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.”  I believe it is helpful and healthy for our understanding to couple these passages together.

     Part of having faith is trusting in God rather than our own abilities.  When we first believe in Jesus, our trust in Him is like a tiny seed.  Unfortunately, there are some Christians who don’t exercise their faith in God much, choosing instead to play it safe by trusting in themselves, their families, their jobs, and other safety nets of society.  They cling to Matthew 17:19-20 not to marvel at what God can do with even a small amount of faith, but to justify why their faith is tiny and weak. 

     Yes, we all begin spiritual life with our faith as a tiny seed, but Jesus wants us to grow up in Him.  It’s ok to begin in Matthew 17, but we need to progress to what Luke 13 records.  A tree naturally goes through seasons of slower growth.  Where I live, trees grow a lot in the spring right after the wet and gloomy winter season, but they slow down in the beautiful, dry summertime. 

     So it is with our spirituality.  In the hard times when our faith is tested, if we choose to cling to the promises of God and function based upon those promises, we will grow stronger.  As we exercise trust in God, our faith increases and with every challenge we will stand strong.  If you feel like you don’t have much faith or that the faith you have is weak, ask God to increase and strengthen your trust in Him.  Brace yourself as you pray this.  Praying for an increase of faith is like praying for patience. 

“Heavenly Father, I pray that You would continue to grow and strengthen my faith and trust in You.  I understand that this happens by walking through challenges in life.  Thank You for walking through hard times with me, even carrying me at times.  When then going gets tough, I pray that I would handle it rightly.  May I hide Your Word in my heart and put it into practice no matter how difficult that is.  Bless me with the strength and power of Your Holy Spirit to cling to You and remain steadfast in Your love and favor.  Bless my brothers and sisters in Your eternal family.  In the precious Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things.  Amen.”

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

—Romans 10:17

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

—Romans 12:3

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

—Jude 20-21