12/07/2021
When we are in need of a miraculous healing, defense, or some other thing that is beyond our ability, we come to the Lord in prayer. We meet Jesus, and ask Him to step into our lives and provide what we need, but do we really believe He can do what we are asking? Jesus will ask us about our faith, and we will most likely say that we believe, but do we really? Are we ready to hand our problem to Him with absolute certainty that He is able to do this?
“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
It took me a long time to realize that even though I was taking my problems to the Lord in prayer, and asking Him to do whatever it was I needed, that my confidence was not absolute… even when prayed in the name of Jesus. I would put whatever was troubling me into His hands, and feel relieved for the duration of my praying… perhaps a bit longer, but eventually I would take back what I had just given Him, and start trying to solve the issue myself again. Have you done this? Are you doing it now? If your answer is yes to either of these questions then you need to join me in praying that He would help us in our unbelief, just like the father who brought his son to Jesus, and asked to have an unclean spirit cast from him… listen to this father’s response when Jesus asked him if he believed…
“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”
Mark 9:23-24 KJV
When we ask something of Jesus, do we not only ask for what we desire Him to do, but also ask that He help us to remove any vestige of unbelief we might have? Do we have absolute faith that Jesus is who He says He is, and that He can do all that we ask of Him? Listen to Peter’s response when Jesus asks “who do you say that I am?”…
“He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 16:15-17 ESV
There was a time in my career when I had a problem with my immediate boss at work. This problem wasn’t work related, but more of a personal problem. This man perceived my faith as a weakness and attempted to elevate himself by undoing me. He thought my humility made me an easy target. This situation taught me many lessons about belief, and faith, but one of the hardest was how to believe completely as I should. I would pray for the Lord to solve this situation, and then go back to work the next day trying to solve it myself… this went on for several years. Finally I came to realize that there was nothing I could do to help myself. I was in a spiritual conflict that was much larger than myself. So one day as I was praying I handed my problem to The Lord as I usually did, but unlike those other times I didn’t take it back… I believed He was capable, and would handle it, and that if He chose not to, then it was His will being done. I left my prayer closet that day at peace; I knew my God had me in His hands… and He did. God directed my path, and He opened the eyes of my boss’s superiors. My problem was solved in short order, and this man soon left the company. I learned perseverance, how to face problems without sacrificing my faith, and more than that I learned how to believe without doubting. Our human nature makes this a hard lesson for us , and that is why we are told 134 times in scripture to trust God. Here is just one example of these…
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
Are we ready to abandon our problems to the Lord, and leave them there? Are we ready to trust Him completely?
“Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.”
Psalm 28:6-7 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for hearing our prayers, and answering them as we pray them in the name of Jesus, and a fullness of belief. Thank you for hearing us cry out for your help in our unbelief, and helping us by strengthening us in our faith, and belief in you, and your Son Jesus Christ. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who never fails us, and keeps every promise. Praised be your name for each lesson we learn, and every step towards believing in you completely. Your grace is sufficient for us, and we give you the glory for all you do in answer to our misery, suffering, and need. You are mighty in deed, and good in all things. Your love for us knows no end, and it is like an ever flowing spring of life, it is living water to us. You sent your Son Jesus to redeem us, and in Him we are cleansed, nourished, and loved. Make us worthy in our faith, and able to believe as we should so that on the day of our judgement we are unwavering in our belief, and the reflection of Christ in every way. Welcome us at your table, and accept our worship forevermore. Praised be your name always, and forever.
Rich Forbes