11/14/2019
When you pray for provision, healing, or anything else, are you expecting it to be provided? Do you believe that by asking Jesus to do a thing it will be done? If you don’t believe then how can you possibly expect to receive? Then I ask a second question... do you proclaim your belief aloud?
“When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord."”
Matthew 9:28 ESV
This verse is from the story of Jesus healing the two blind men, but before He healed them He asked this one question regarding their belief in Him... “Do you believe”. Jesus asks us that same question today, and before we answer we should remember that He listens to our heart at the same time as our mouths. There is no lie that can deceive God, and no faith He won’t uncover.
“"I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."”
Jeremiah 17:10 ESV
So, if a man was passing through your city healing people would you want to know all about him, or would you rush to him so that you could be healed along with the others there? If he asked you if you believed in him would you tell him whatever he wanted to hear? Some would want to know more about him, and form their belief based on truth, reason, and faith, but others, would take the healing claims on their surface... “what if it is true, and I miss my opportunity to be made whole?” Which of these types of believers were the two blind men, and which are you?
“But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”
Romans 10:8-10 ESV
We know that the two blind men had followed Jesus from where He had just raised the daughter of a ruler from the dead, so it would be safe to assume that they at least believed He had power, but would they openly profess their belief? Jesus didn’t make a spectacle of their profession, He just asked the simple question, and they responded. There was no formal test, or a grand task they must complete... God already knew their hearts... just say “I believe” and mean it. This sounds easy, but is it? For some it comes easily, but for others, like Thomas, it isn’t so easy...
“Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe."”
John 20:27 ESV
When we pray for healing, or the other things, what is the state of our belief, is it stained with doubt? Perhaps we are merely testing the water of Christ’s healing power? Do we approach Him with hope, or true expectation? If we are asked to wait on the Lord is our faith, and belief, shaken, or does it remain steadfast? In consideration of such, how will we answer Jesus when He asks us about our belief? And rest assured, He will ask us, and we will be required to answer Him! Listen as he asks his disciples:
“Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God." Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe?”
John 16:30-31 ESV
Prayer:
Father, we thank you for the seed of faith you have planted in each of us, and for the belief that springs forth from it. Thank you for your Son Jesus Christ that you sent to be born into flesh, live among us, die on Calvary, and be raised from the dead. Thank you Holy Father for asking us about our belief in Him, and for His tolerance of us as many must put their fingers in His side to secure their belief. If we can’t believe that you sent your Son, then what about you can we believe? Help us Lord in our unbelief, and lead us to expectation in our prayers. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who asks “Do you believe?” even though You already know our hearts.. Great are you who accepts the pledge of our belief, and calls us children. We praise your name before every tribe, and people Father, and give you all glory through the grace you pour out upon us through Jesus. You are our God, and in you we find every need satisfied, now and throughout eternity. Praised be your name, now and forevermore.
Rich Forbes