One of the first times I ever preached on a Crusade platform. I remember preaching out of John 5 on the crippled man at the Bethesda Pool. He was healed after 38 years of being in that condition. Jesus said to the man “Do you want to be made well?” Jesus was standing there in front of him, all powerful, all capable and he was looking for faith. Today nothing has changed, God is looking for faith from us. He is all powerful, looking to move on our behalf, and He needs us to believe.
Dr TL Osborn said “You should never ask God to do what He has said He’s already done.” He was emphasizing the point that faith appropriates what God has done. Jesus has paid the price for our sin, sickness and become a curse for us. (Gal 3:13) All of the benefits of the atonement are received when we believe. Faith is the one thing God needs from us.
When the crowds came to Jesus and listened to his teaching they said “”What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:28-29) Jesus was in effect saying – I need your faith! Faith is the basis for all we do in God’s Kingdom. Now I know there are times God seems to move miraculously without any seeming faith from the recipient, but even in doing a miracle he is looking to ignite faith.
I know when I came to Christ, I had no faith in God. God in Hs mercy reached out to me, revealed Himself and in that moment faith was birthed and ignited on the inside of me. Since that time God has been looking to build faith in my life. God is looking to build our faith in His faithfulness. He looking for us to lay ahold of His promises by faith. He’s looking for us to believe.
The enemy is always at work to discourage, bring doubt, bring delays and his goal is to attack and undermine our faith. Today I want to encourage you, don’t let anyone or anything rob you of your faith. It’s the most precious thing you have. Guard it with everything within you. It’s your key to access everything God has for you. It’s your key to relationship with God!
Today I want to encourage you to dare to believe God like never before. Maybe you’re discouraged wondering where God is in the midst of your circumstances. Today I want to encourage you to believe. God will move if you stay in faith. Don’t be like the man at the Bethesda Pool looking to the stirring of the water for a miracle. Keep your eyes on Jesus, He will come through for you!
