And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Mark 11:22-23 ESV
Illustration
In April 1988 the evening news reported on a photographer who was a skydiver. He had jumped from a plane along with numerous other skydivers and filmed the group as they fell and opened their parachutes. In the film shown on the telecast, as the final skydiver opened his chute, the picture went berserk. The announcer reported that the cameraman had fallen to his death, having jumped out of the plane without his parachute. It wasn’t until he reached for the absent ripcord that he realized he was free-falling without a parachute. Until that point, the jump probably seemed exciting and fun. But tragically, he had acted with thoughtless haste and deadly foolishness. Nothing could save him, for his faith was in a parachute never buckled on. Faith in anything but an all-sufficient God can be just as tragic spiritually. Only with faith in Jesus Christ dare we step into the dangerous excitement of life.
Faith is a divine gift that allows believers to overcome the trials of life. Without faith, we would be lost in the abyss of fear and meaninglessness. Faith is the tree that allows our spiritual lungs to inhale the air of God’s providential love. It is the oxygen that flows through the blood cells of our souls and equips up with spiritual antibodies so we can fight the infections of despair, hopelessness, and worthlessness.
Mountains are moved every day by believers with faith in almighty God. Some have moved mountains of sickness while others have moved mountains of financial hardships. Mountains of addiction or psychological dysfunction are also being moved by those who trust in God’s providential love and have received His amazing grace.
Jesus’ theology of faith in today’s text is practical, transformational, and liberating. He wanted His disciple to understand that without faith it is impossible to please God. Jesus knew that faith was more than a spiritual experience or awareness. It is at the core of who we are as spiritual beings having a physical experience. As stated by Ben Patterson, “the foundation of faith is a firm conviction regarding three things about God—his perfect love, wisdom, and power. Like a three-legged stool, no combination of two will do. There must be all three for faith to stand. A strong faith believes that God wills only what is best for us (his love), that he knows what is best for us (his wisdom), and that he is able to do what is best for us (his power).” Taken from Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent by Ben Patterson
Unfortunately, a vast number of people have faith in the wrong things or people. They risk their eternal life by trusting in things that are fleeting, in messages that are deceptive, and in human beings that are dishonest. The photographer who plunged to his death in today’s illustration had faith in a parachute he wasn’t even wearing. If the foundation of our faith is not a firm conviction regarding God’s perfect love, wisdom, and power, we are free-falling without a parachute.
The only way I can face the uncertainty of each day is by faith in God’s love, wisdom, and power. When I face crises or struggle with life’s trials I lean on God’s love. When my strength to endure and overcome the attacks of my enemies, I find comfort in God’s power. When I struggle to understand the meaning of life and God’s purpose for my life, I am strengthened by God’s wisdom.
Faith in God is a spiritual gift that is available and accessible to anyone. Those who take ownership of that gift have peace in struggle, joy in sorrow, and victory in their battles. Don’t go through this day without activating an active faith in God. Before you face the challenges of today, make sure you put on the full armor of God and are wearing the parachute of faith.
Questions for Personal Reflection
Why is faith in God so critical for our Christian journey?
How can you encourage someone who is struggling to develop a stronger faith?
Prayer- Blessed Lord, I thank you for being an ever-present God. Please help me to have an unwavering faith in your love, wisdom, and power when I am struggling against powers and principalities. Give me mountain-moving faith so I can live in victory and fulfill your purpose for my life.