O YOU OF LITTLE FAITH. This never ceases to amaze me. Jesus just fed the 5000 + women and children with five loaves of bread and two fishes. Miracle. The disciples took up the remaining 12 baskets full of fragments and fish. Miracle. But then, just a few hours later, they’re in a boat and a monstrous storm comes upon them and brings fear. Jesus sees them toiling in the boat, He walks on water and Scripture records that He would have passed them by, but they cry out and He gets in the boat and calms the sea. My choir used to sing a song from this Scripture, “Savior, do not pass me by”.
“Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.” Mark 6:51-52
Their heart was hardened, not from sin; but it was dull and waxed over because they didn’t discern Jesus’ power over nature (doubt), just demonstrated a few hours before, nor did they dwell on (think on these things) the miracle of the 5000. How dull can one be? Yet, aren’t we just the same? Jesus performs a miracle in your life, and you immediately forget what He’s done so when the next storm comes you in doubt ask, “How will He now calm this storm?” O ye of little faith.
My first pastor told me a story of a young man that came into our church and that day the Spirit was working a work of healing. Physical healings we’re taking place right in front of this young man’s eyes and instead of falling down before the Lord, he began stomping his feet in anger saying, “This cannot be!” He left angry. Years later this same young man developed a rare disease in his legs. This is not a joke. He was a relative of an older woman in the church. Do not despise the work of the Lord.
The more we exercise our faith, the more accustomed we will be to seeing and discerning the work of God and our hearts will not grow dull and hard. The problem with a lot of people is that your faith is in what you have done, it’s in your achievements, your programs, your ability- not His. Jesus becomes just a figure in your life, not the God who calms the storm or He who gives strength and power to overcome. You’ve made the miracle about what you did; not what Jesus has done.
So when a storm comes that you cannot control, your faith in His ability is shallow and weak. Your heart is waxy and hardened. Don’t let Him pass you by. Cry out in faith! Praise God that He responds to the cries of His people. Exercise your faith daily in the miracle of your salvation, recall and discern those precious moments where He moved on your behalf. Believe His Word over what you see. Never forget what He has done and you’ll have faith to soar over the next storm.
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page