October 2010
Dear Friends,
Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1) Do we have faith? Do we believe God for our salvation? Do we believe God can forgive us of everything we have done wrong? Do we believe God will handle today and tomorrow? Everyday requires, no demands, faith. Do we put faith in ourselves, in our accomplishments, in our stuff, in our community or in God?
Do you find it difficult to trust God to provide for your bills but completely trust Him for your salvation? Do you trust the chair you sit in to not break but can’t imagine God could give your kid the winter jacket he needs? Do you believe God loves you but don’t believe He could ever heal your deepest emotional wounds?
The other day I was reading in Mark 9:20-27 about a father that was devastated for his son that was being tormented by an evil spirit. He approached Jesus and asked if He could help. He said…speaking of the evil spirit “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
Jesus responded, “If you can?” said Jesus, “Everything is possible for him who believes.”
As I read this I was really struck by the “if you can?” I think I’ve always focused on “Everything is possible for him who believes” and missed the key point of what Jesus was saying. He said “if you can?” because this father was questioning whether Jesus could really heal his son and Jesus was making the point that he was questioning Jesus. Jesus has all power and authority in all of heaven and earth (Matt 28:18). How could this man question His power and ability? “If you can?” says to me: do I believe God can do anything, do I know He is all powerful, and why would I question Jesus? I was so convicted by these three words Jesus said because I’ve been just like the father in the story. I’ve probably even literally prayed… well, if you can do this or that I would really appreciate it. What am I thinking? Ultimately, my asking “if you can” demonstrates my doubt and unbelief.
Let’s consider another story from John 11 where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Jesus says in verse 40, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” After Lazarus gets up Jesus thanks God for raising Lazarus from the dead so that the people that witnessed the miraculous would believe that God had sent Jesus.
Another time in Mark 11:22-24 Jesus speaks again on faith. “Have faith in God”, Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” This doesn’t mean we can ask for things outside of God’s will and receive them. It does mean that we can trust that God will answer in the best way possible, in the way that most glorifies Himself. The point Jesus was making is that we must believe that ANYTHING is possible through God. And then in Matthew 17:20 Jesus explains to the disciples why they could not drive the demon out of the young boy. “He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, 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.” Why is faith so powerful? I believe faith is God in action in us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Faith connects us to the power of God and with the power of God anything is possible.
When Jesus tells the father “everything is possible for him who believes” the father immediately exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” The father confessed his need for help to overcome his doubt. Jesus, in his great mercy, drove the evil spirit from the boy.
Even when we doubt or question who God is or what He can do, His power does not change. 2 Timothy 2:13 says, “if we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.” What a blessing to know that our God is consistent no matter how inconsistent we are or how much we doubt. He can do anything and we can have faith in Him. Just like the father of the boy, we can ask Jesus to help us overcome our unbelief.
Today I would like to encourage you to believe in God and it will be credited to you as righteousness like Abraham. I am reminded of the “Heroes of the Faith” chapter of Hebrews 11. So many people acted in faith believing what God had promised. They trusted Him for something they could not yet see and were still living by faith when they died. I long for all of us to follow in their footsteps and live by faith believing that God can do anything and that He can use our lives to show His glory.
Last week, my little boy prayed for laughing cow cheese, an expensive type of spread cheese, and God provided that specific cheese a few days later. He looked at me and smiled real big and said, “God answered my prayer.” He believed. What awaits you this week? Looking for a job? Mortgage payment? Sick child? Struggling marriage? Let us run to Jesus and believe He can do anything in us. He can change our hearts. He can motivate us to look for a job. He can heal the sick. He can provide. He can free us from the bondage of addiction. We can pursue Him and put our day-to-day faith in Him as He helps us. We can listen for His voice and obey His commands. Have faith my brother, my sister, my friend. I am confessing my sin of doubting what He can do and asking Jesus to help me. Come with me on this life of faith. The Bible says the righteous will live by faith. When we are made right before God through salvation we are righteous and WILL is not an optional word, but an action.
Living by faith,
Hebrews 13:16 “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”