Have Faith In God Mark 11:22

The simplicity of this phrase given to us by the Lord Jesus Himself in Mark 11:22. It is a command from the words of Jesus Himself.  “And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God.”  Jesus teaches His disciples to exhibit the personal fruit of faith in God.  Faith is defined “to believe to the extent of complete trust and reliance—‘to believe in, to have confidence in, to have faith in.” [Louw and Nida, 375]  Do you have faith in God?  The context of the withered fig tree in verses 20-21 was an illustration of the lack of faith in God by the nation of Israel in that day. So few had real faith in God demonstrated by praying, asking, and believing. The Gospel of Mark began with “Jesus Christ, the Son of God” as the message for the people about Jesus. For He restores and renews the faith of His people in God the Father who sent Him as God the Son to be the Savior of all who would believe in Him.
 
Such faith in God is shown by the words of Jesus in these matters. Jesus teaches His disciples to exhibit the personal fruit of prayer. Jesus said, “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.” [Mark 11:23]  What one is to do in the face of large obstacles!  What is insurmountable for us is not for God! Whoever has such faith exercised in prayer to God and therefore Jesus calling His disciples to have such faith.  Then Jesus says, “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.” [Mark 11:24] How one is to deal with the presence of great needs! Notice the emphasis given in the phrase “Therefore I say to you . . .” The certainty of these matters according to the words of Jesus is the ground upon which we stand praying and asking. Jesus teaches that His disciples will be such people who “pray and ask, believe . . .” So our praying and asking God testifies that we have faith in God by going to Him and looking to Him for all things which are the matters of our praying and asking.  Another command here with the word “believe” is a present active imperative meaning present, continuous, personal, active believing. This also means that those around us would say there is one believing through their observing and knowing that we are praying and asking God.  Have faith in God in these days of your life as disciples of Jesus! What encouragement in these words of Jesus “Have Faith In God!”