Focus: Believe God!

Text: Mk.11:22

"Have faith in God."

Peter wondered that the fig tree Jesus Christ had cursed the other day had in a matter of hours withered away, and he was calling his attention to it. It was in that moment that Christ responded to Peter, and said, "Be constantly having faith in God." 

It is a continuous active trusting in God. Have faith now and continue to have faith in God, regardless of what the appearances say or suggest to you. In essence, Jesus Christ is saying, 'Don't just believe in God, but also keep believing in God.' Faith is not only an urgency, but also an imperative necessity. 

There is no relationship or fellowship with God in the absence of faith.

Faith actually comes by hearing the word of God. Another good translation of the Greek text is, "Have the faith of God," that is, faith as it originates or stems from God. It is faith that has God as its originator and object. God is the subject and object of faith. Of a truth, God is the source of true faith, and it is faith, coming from God, that moves mountains and withers fruitless trees. It is the faith of God arising or springing from the heart of the believer that changes everything. One translation says, "Have God's faith." Another says, "Have the kind of trust that comes from God!"

In your handling of situations, have faith in God! In those moments when you are faced with the unsurmountable, have faith in God. Unmovable mountains are movable by the faith of God. When you pray for anything and everything, have faith in God. When you have to forgive those who hurt or do you wrong, do it, having faith in God. When you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, trust God! When you find yourself standing in front of insurmountable obstacles or challenges, let your faith in God be not shaken or shackled by doubts and fears. When you pray, have faith in God!

Believe in God, and keep believing in God. Whatever the situation, you need to have faith in God's character and capacity, in His awesome personality and sure promises, and in His truth, integrity and authority.

Real faith stems from God, and it tackles impossible situations, because it is connected to God who makes the impossible possible.

Faith gets God to act on your behalf. Faith brings God into the human situation. God and the believer are an unbeatable team. Faith connects us with God.

Concerning the ruler of the synagogue in Mark's Gospel, we read that "as soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe" (Mk.5:36). Man's word is not final; God's word is. The facts before you are not final; God's truth is. When your back is against the wall, listen to God and embrace God's word. When what you see is a contradiction to what you expect, don't stop holding on to your faith! Faith is of God as fear is of the devil. Don't let the devil make you lose your faith.1 Don't let him instill or inject his fear into you!

Trust and keep trusting in God. Believing in God implies trusting God, looking up to or fixing your gaze on God, waiting on God, obeying God's word, and following in the steps of Christ. Speak by faith! Pray by faith! Forgive by faith! Faith has a divine origin, and God is its source, and it moves mountains and withers 'unfruitful fig trees.' Believe God! Only believe! That is the exclusivity of faith. Faith is all you need as far as God is concerned. Only believe!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter