Thursday, March 21, Mark 11:19-25
19 That evening Jesus and the disciples left the city. 20 The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he [Jesus] had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up.21 Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!” 22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. 25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.PRAYER
Lord, this passage can be a tough one to wrap our mind around. Many of us have prayed for healing or, financial help, rescue of a loved one, freedom for an addict, wisdom in parenting and all the things. Yet, we find ourselves wondering if we just did not have enough faith.
Lord, would you help us find……rest in knowing, your ways are not our ways. …peace in understanding, we do not know what you know.…contentment in recognizing you are more than a holy vending machine awaiting our proverbial quarters to fulfill our requests.…faith to continue to ask, believe, and hope! And, remember even when things do not go our way, your goodness remains.
Amen.