Have Faith in God (Mark 11:22-26)

Faith informs the actions of those who believe. There was a mountain in northeast India that caused the death Dashrath’s wife, Falguni. After his wife’s tragic death, Dashrath resolved to make a way through the mountain. The day after her death he sold his three goats and purchased a large hammer and chisel and began to chip away. Dashrath Manjhi was at first thought to be a lunatic as he did battle with the mountain every day from 4 a.m. till 8 a.m. before he would have to leave for work. However, 22 years later he exchanged the title of lunatic for “Mountain Man.” Dashrath had carved out a passage that was 360 feet long, 30 feet wide, and as much as 25 feet high!

“Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22). What exactly would that look like? Dashrath Manjhi chipped away at a mountain for 22 years with a hammer and chisel. He was acting on the belief that it could be done. Jesus tells us to have faith in God. 2 Peter 1:22 tells us that God has granted us divine power through the knowledge of Him. So my question is, how are we using this divine power? What actions accompany our faith in God?

What are the mountains in your life? Is there something that blocks your view of God’s divine power so that all you can see is the mountain? When a mountain blocks our view of God it causes our heart to grow faint and our hands to become weak. In this weakened condition we are no longer sure of anything, and our spiritual eyes are blinded by an insurmountable obstacle.

Faith invites us to look beyond the mountain. It was during the last week of Jesus’ life that He gave His followers the assurance that they could remove the mountain if they would exchange their doubts for belief. It was during this week that by His death He removed the obstacle that blocked our access to the Throne of God. He made a way for us to receive the divine power of God by grace through faith.

Are you struggling with a mountain today, a mountain of debt, a mountain of addiction, a mountain of grief, a mountain of bitterness? You’re not alone. I know what it is to struggle with obstacles that seem insurmountable. But I would like to whisper into your heart these words of Jesus, “Have faith in God.” Let these words like a healing ointment penetrate into the deepest part of your soul. Now, take up your hammer and chisel and get to work, because faith informs the actions of those who believe!

*For more information about Dashrath Manjhi look up “The Man Who Moved a Mountain” in the trumpet.com