We are continuing Season 4 Episode 3 of The Chosen in our church. This episode was tough. There were situations and circumstances that we couldn’t understand. David and Bathsheba’s son has passed away, the blind man is healed by Jesus spitting in his hand and mixing it with dirt and placing it on his eyes, and then Rama, who is a fictional character in the Chosen, is engaged to Thomas, is killed by a Roman—lots to take in.
For many of us, we have dealt with or will deal with situations that don’t make sense. These circumstances leave us mad, complexed, puzzled, and questioning God. We question God, and sometimes he won’t answer. Or he will respond in the way that isn’t the way we wanted Him to. We see some healed and others not. We see good people suffer, and those not so good go on with their lives.
But is it for us to question or think God should do what we want Him to do?
Brother Bryan referenced Habakkuk in his sermon. We can look at many books of the Old Testament and see how God uses the enemy to make His point. Sometimes evil is used for good. God uses the Babylonians, the enemies, for the Jewish people’s good. God wanted renewal and revival of His people, but that was not happening. Society was falling apart. Does that sound familiar?
Many situations and circumstances are used for our good. But do we see it that way? We have to resolve to trust in God. We have to trust that He is working everything for our good even if we don’t understand.
Even though I don’t understand, even though God doesn’t answer the way I want Him to, even though it is difficult, I will trust in Him and be okay.
In Mark 11:22, Jesus directly tells the disciples, “Have faith in God,” following the cursing of the fig tree. This statement is followed by teachings on the power of prayer and belief, encouraging believers not to doubt in their hearts but to believe that what they ask for in prayer will come to pass. The core message is about cultivating a deep and unwavering trust in God.
- Matthew 17:20:
- Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you”.
- Mark 11:23
- 22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly[a] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
- Literal vs. Metaphorical:
Jesus wasn’t referring to the literal displacement of a mountain. He was using the image of a mountain to represent any great difficulty or challenge in life.
- The Power of Faith:
The teaching emphasizes that it’s not the size of the person’s faith that matters, but the object of their faith, which is God. It highlights that faith, placed in the right source (God), can empower people to overcome obstacles that seem impossible.
This goes back to the fact that our prayers won’t always be answered the way we want them to, or situations won’t be fixed like we think they should. However, it does mean that because of our relationship, trust, and faith in God, we will find joy even in the midst of sorrow.
So remember:
1.Show up for JESUS – Start your day in the Word.
2. Show up for OTHERS – Serve others, whether they are like you or not, whether they annoy you or are difficult to understand. That is what Jesus did; He showed up for everyone.
3. Show up for YOU – You need to fill your cup before you can help fill others’ cups.
WE WILL FIND JOY WHEN WE SHOW UP FOR JESUS, OTHERS, AND OURSELVES.
As Father Mike says, “You pray for me, and I will pray for you.”
And as Tara Leigh says- He’s where the JOY Is!
Have a great week, Cupcake loves you.
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