Faith!

Faith!

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. Matthew 21:21 NIV

The Inspiration:

Today's verse is closely related to yesterday's piece, and continues our thoughts on this Easter season. Jesus came into Jerusalem, and his entering disrupted the usual pattern of things, from the temple practices to the general attitude of the leaders of the time. Indeed, Jesus does not leave a person or situation the same way He met him or it; no one encounters Jesus and remains the same. This was the experience of the temple worshippers in yesterday's piece, and is the same too for the fig tree in today's verse. Is there a situation in my life that is resisting the move of God? I need to introduce God to that situation and watch Him work. He is the Creator of all things; therefore all things answer to Him. They take orders from and respond to Him, and there is no situation so far gone that it is beyond the reach of God's mercy. Why hold on to something you cannot change or control, when there is a God who, with one word, can change that which you think is beyond help. 

The Contention:

This was the situation in today's verse. A fig tree was all green, and looked like it had fruit, yet, when Jesus, who was hungry, came near to see if he would find fruit on it, there was nothing. He cursed the tree and the disciples noted that there were immediate results. In this are several lessons. It has to be noted that I must avoid self-deceit. I cannot afford to look like what I am not. What will be the value of men's applause when God does not recognize my service? This is a walk of faith from start to finish; there are parts of this walk that may not make sense at the time, but then, the walk of faith is about what God says, not what I think. There will be times when my external may not look good, but as long as God lives inside me, I will be fine. Following on from this is that there has to be fruit to my life of faith. There is no way I can walk by faith and my life will not bear fruit. God expects and demands that men see proof of His presence in me. Is this true of my life at the moment?

The Conclusion:

Jesus makes it clear in the verse above that when He lives in me, I have his kind of power. I can speak and command, and Heaven will back me up. The things that men have declared as impossible are the things that God delights in doing as a regular pattern for those who walk in faith. His presence is the key that gives me access to all that He has made available for me. I must not limit the power and presence of God in me; men in the bible walked with God closely and God showed Himself mighty. Men like Joshua asked the sun to stand still, Elijah shut the heavens for 3 and a half years and no rain fell, and even a donkey was made to speak to a man. These were men like us, and if God has not changed, He can still do the above and much more. As long as my walk with God is correct, God will do all I ask, as long as it lines up with His will. I ask God for grace that my life and all its offerings will be acceptable in His sight. God's time of favour is here.