“Jesus answered saying, ‘Have faith in God’” (Mark 11:22).
I read someone’s very astute explanation of the origin of strength: “Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t” (https://sermonillustrator.org/2024/11/14/strength/). Most dictionary definitions of strength focus on physical strength. Almost never do we find strength being applied to our spiritual being except, of course, when we read the Bible. We are told in 1 Corinthians 4:7-8: “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also the life to come.” Paul calls us to engage consistently in spiritual exercises, the spiritual disciplines, so that we grow in spiritual strength and faith.
That God intends us to live our lives with faith in Him is no surprise to anyone who has heard biblical preaching. Moreover, we are directed to place our faith in Jesus Christ, the God-Man, the second person of the Holy Trinity, for forgiveness of sin, new birth, and eternal life. This faith is not to be lackadaisical, half-hearted, careless, lethargic, and passive. Instead, it is to be robust, engrossing, and strong. We are to love our God and Savior with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. This is the faith that leads us to obey the word and will of God. This is the faith that transforms us and brings God’s blessings to our lives. Simply put: God rewards robust faith.
Imagine that you are out in the middle of a lake and there are two rowboats, one named “Self” and the other named “Jesus.” You have one foot in each boat as the constant movement of the water presses on each boat and leaves them in perpetual motion. The boat named Self is filled with holes and is sinking fast. It is obvious that unless you do something you will soon be in the lake. The boat, Self, with the holes, represents us with all of the leaks caused by our sins. The boat, Jesus, without holes, represents Christ who is sinless. Obviously, with one foot in each boat, we will soon end up in the same place that we would have ended had we had both feet in the boat, Self. The only safe place to be is to have both feet firmly planted in the boat, Jesus (https://www.logos.com/grow/sermon-illustrations-on-faith/). This boat scenario illustrates the need to have our full faith firmly planted in Jesus and challenges us to make sure that our faith is more vibrant and vigorous than the waves of opposition, hardship, and evil that beat against our lives attempting to swallow us up.
On the occasion when Jesus taught His disciples faith’s connection to answered prayer, He mentioned mountains being uprooted and cast into the sea. Of course, He used metaphorical language making mountains synonymous with obstacles that seem bigger than life and unsurmountable—things like severe losses, devastating news, health downturns, financial crises. Whatever the obstacles may be, Jesus said in Mark 11:23-24— “Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.” What an audacious promise from our Lord. But know this: the determining factor in whether our mountain-facing prayers are effectual is in the preceding verse 22, where “Jesus answered saying, ‘Have faith in God.’”
We love to sing the old Baptist hymn, Have Faith in God. The words of the fourth stanza say: Have faith in God though all else fail about you; Have faith in God, He provides for His own. He cannot fail though all kingdoms shall perish; He rules, He reigns upon His throne. The chorus reinforces the point: “Have faith in God, He’s on His throne; Have faith in God, He watches o’er His own. He cannot fail, He must prevail; Have faith in God, have faith in God.” Nevertheless, I’m afraid that many times we pray in times of need and crisis hoping that God will answer and circumstances will improve but not really believing that anything will change. Folks, praying without believing, robust faith is like pointing a fire hose at a raging fire and praying that the fire will go out without ever opening the valve and turning the water loose.
The writer of Hebrews in the Bible reminds us in Hebrews 11:6: “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Friends, the blessings of God are not to be the reason we love and serve Jesus but rather the benefit. Our reason for loving and serving Jesus is to be Him. Jesus loved us enough to die for us and in our place on the cross to pay for our sins, so we could be forgiven, rescued from eternal damnation, and enter into God’s forever family through faith. Therefore, set your mind to love Jesus for Him, and let the fact that He rewards robust faith inspire you to give your all in worship and service to Him.