Published by admin on 23 Nov 2012 at 01:07 pm
WHERE IS YOUR FAITH?
It is in times of trouble that we find out what our faith is made of. Jesus told us in this world we would have tribulations and He didn’t differentiate between believer and nonbeliever. In this world are troubles, and we are all in the world, so they come unto everyone at times. How we respond in troubles is greatly determined by our faith in God, or the lack thereof.
There is an account in Mark that makes a point about how we react in times of trouble. Here we had the very disciples of Jesus who had been with Him and saw Him do great miracles, yet these men whom Jesus was training to be powerful men of God were about to display their pitiful side. Jesus had been teaching the multitudes by the sea side. Then He sent the multitudes away and told the disciples, Let us go to the other side. Let’s read about it:
Mar 4:35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
Mar 4:36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
Mar 4:37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
Mar 4:38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
Mar 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Mar 4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
Mar 4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
We can see two things going on in this passage, first off a great storm arose putting everyone in the ship in great peril, including Jesus. Now He had been teaching the disciples how to believe God, how to rely on Him, empowering them with His own power and clearly demonstrating that He is bigger than any problem we can possibly face, whether it be demonic oppression, sickness, hunger, whatever. Secondly, as they were all on the ship going to the other side, a storm arose. Not just ANY old storm, but a GREAT storm. Jesus was asleep on a pillow on the back of the ship, seemingly uncaring about their dire situation. Do you ever feel God is not concerned about your problems? How about when it isn’t a little storm, but a great big one? Do you sometimes feel you can trust God to take care of the little storms in your life, but you’re not too sure about the great big ones? Evidently the disciples forgot who was with them in the ship. Here the ship was about to sink, and Jesus was asleep on a pillow, soon to be a very WET pillow, and maybe it already WAS wet, but still Jesus slept peacefully. Maybe He was at rest because He knew something about the heavenly Father that WE don’t know. Really? Is that possible? Surely not, after all, we’re faith people. Or are we?
Can you imagine that disciple whispering in Jesus’ ear, Master, carest thou not that we perish? Neither can I. No, most likely he yelled at Jesus in full-blown panic. Well, Jesus arose and rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Simple, huh? Just a word from Jesus and the problem was solved. And here they thought all hope was lost and their faith went out the window, just like OUR faith often does.
Apparently Jesus wasn’t pleased with how they dealt with the situation. Why? Because Jesus had given them of His very own faith, the faith that created the whole universe, and He had empowered them to operate in the supernatural, and they just operated in the super fearful. Jesus asked, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? In Luke 8, it is recorded that Jesus asked them during this same time, Where is your faith? Well, Jesus knew where their faith was, it was in the circumstance at hand. He also wanted them to realize He had given them so much authority that THEY could have and should have calmed that storm and not have been afraid of it. And if the disciples had used the faith that was given them, Jesus could have continued His nap undisturbed. Not that God is indifferent to our problems. It’s just that He gave us the solution and we aren’t using it. Sometimes I’m amazed at how little we make use of our faith, that we want God to do everything for us, when He has empowered us over the little stuff like great storms and devils and sickness and things like that. Why can’t we deliver the goods when the chips are down? Simple: we are fearful and unbelieving. I’d like to sugar coat that, but the truth is the truth. Sorry.
How would you behave if you really got hold of even a couple verses in the Bible, something simple like Psalm 103:2-3:
Psa 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Psa 103:3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Well, for one thing, you’d quit begging God to forgive your sins, and believe He already HAS forgiven your sins, all of them, past, present, and future. You asked Him to, didn’t you? He said YES, why won’t you believe the Bible? You would have peace in your life that God loves you immeasurably and isn’t sitting on a cloud up there in heaven with a fly swatter waiting to smack you when you light. And you’d quit running to the doctor and the medicine cabinet or pharmacy every time you have an ache or pain. Sickness and disease would no longer rule over you because you’d believe what He said and you would live free from sickness.
Back in 1993 when the doctors said I would be dead in a month or less with cancer, God revealed just those two verses to me. At that time I didn’t need the whole Word of God revealed to me, just those two verses. He gave me revelation of what I needed at that time in order to know I was forgiven of my sins, and how to live and not die. The rest has come along as I’ve sought God. I’ve learned a lot in these nineteen years. Mostly that God is good for His Word. Yes, He judges sin, and especially YOUR sin. And He put the penalty for your sins upon Jesus. Paid in full, you are set free owing nothing. NOTHING!!! Can’t you get that? Whom the Son sets free is free indeed! And like the TV ads that says, But WAIT, there’s MORE! Your sickness and diseases have also been laid upon Jesus, and by His stripes you are HEALED! Healed I say!! That means you never have to have another sick day in your life, that is if you believe what God said. I did, and in these nineteen years I’ve never had another sick day. People tell me, everyone gets sick. No, everyone DOESN’T get sick. I don’t. They say, well sooner or later everyone gets sick. My name isn’t “everyone”, and God said in His Word He healed all my diseases, period. I believe it and I’m living it. What you do with those two verses is YOUR choice. I’ve already made mine, I’ll believe God and keep on believing God, because He has never lied to me, and I know He never will, because it is written God cannot lie. Look up the definition of “cannot” in the dictionary and let it sink in. If you don’t get anything else done today, learn what “God cannot lie” means. It will solve your every problem, no matter what it is.
Where is YOUR faith today? Is it in what you can accomplish by your own efforts, or what you read in the news, and all the bad things happening in the world, or your bank balance or the doctor’s bad report? Or is your faith in GOD, who loves you more than you can possibly imagine? Now, you may fool me, but you can’t fool God. You may SAY you believe God, but the proof is in the pudding, as they say. You have to start somewhere they say. Maybe the easiest way is to let God help you get a grip on Psalm 103:2-3. Do yourself a favor right now, believe God is bigger than all your problems. He’s bigger than your sins that you just can’t seem to stop. He’s bigger than sickness and disease and worry. He is inviting you right now to bring all your cares and leave them at His feet. He doesn’t need your help to solve them. He is GOD, remember? That means you leave them with Him and walk away rejoicing. He isn’t worried about the future, He is already there and He has a GOOD plan for you. Where’s YOUR faith? God is WELL able to perform all His Word. Are you well able to believe?
Azeb on 10 Dec 2012 at 3:15 am #
God Bless you and your ministry