January 3, the smallest faith.

It depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who has mercy, Romans 9, 16.

Let us make crystal clear at the beginning of the year that all we will get from God this year

as believers in Jesus is mercy. Whatever pleasures or pains come our way

will be mercy. This is why Christ came into the world in order that the Gentiles might

glorify God for his mercy, Romans 159. We were born again according to his great mercy

1 Peter 1 3. We pray daily that we may receive mercy, Hebrews 4 16, and we are now waiting for

the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life, Jude 1 21. If any, Christian proves

trustworthy, it is by the Lord's mercy he is trustworthy, 1 Corinthians 7, 25.

In Luke 17, 5 and 6, the apostles plead with the Lord, increase our faith.

And Jesus says, if you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree,

be rooted up and planted in the sea, and it would obey you. In other words,

the issue in our Christian life and ministry is not the strength or quantity of our faith,

because that's not what uproots trees, God does. Therefore, the smallest faith that truly

connects us with Christ will engage enough of his power for all you need.

But what about the times that you successfully obey the Lord? Does your obedience move you

out of the category of supplicant of mercy? Jesus gives the answer in the following verses of

Luke 17, 7 to 10. Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when

he has come in from the field, come at once and sit down at table? Will he not rather say to him,

pair supper for me and dress properly and serve me while I eat and drink and afterward

you will eat and drink. Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded?

So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say,

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