Have Faith in God

(Mark 11:20-26)

The lesson of the fig tree was covered a few posts ago. We see an additional lesson here when the disciples note that the fig tree is withered and they point it out to Jesus.

The disciple were amazed that the fig tree had withered after Jesus spoke to it. But Jesus’ response was, “Have faith in God.” (Verse 22) He said to them that if they have faith they could say to a mountain to be cast into the sea and it would be done for them. In essence he was saying that when you ask God anything in prayer and you have faith, it will be done.

How often do we take the Lord literally at his words? How often do we doubt the power of God? It is not uncommon for Christian to doubt, but the lesson we need to learn is that there is no need to doubt. God through Jesus Christ is able to do anything we ask, and more. It is our doubt that limits us in what the Lord can and will do for us. We are the limiting factor, not God.

Consider the “faith” chapter in Hebrews chapter 11. It opens with this line, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Heb 11:1) Whatever you hope for you will receive if you have faith and the assurance that the Lord will bring the thing you are hoping for to come to pass. You cannot see the thing you hope for because it has not yet come to pass. That is why faith is so important because it is through faith that we receive the conviction to carry on so that we will receive the things we are hoping for.

Faith is essential is we are to come to God and please him. The writer in Hebrews 11 continues on to say, “…without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Heb 11:6)

That is why faith is so important. Faith is the key to coming to God and to receiving his promises. You must believe to receive. You must believe to be able to enter God’s kingdom for the entry is vai faith in Jesus Christ. There is no other way than by faith for faith is spiritual not physical.

Does it work? Absolutely! Look at the rest of Hebrews 11 and you will see how faith enabled the prophets and people of God to do many mighty things, “…who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life.” (Hebrews 11:33-35)

There is much more that can be said on the subject of faith and we will cover those scriptures over tiem as I continue to work through the New Testament. For now it is enough to say that faith is the key and anything you desire to receive from the Lord is possible if you will believe, pray and ask for it and hold firm your faith.

(Photo sourced from stock.xchng https://www.sxc.hu/ taken by Marina Nisi)