So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
~ Mark 11:22-24
Our last Pandemic Perspective Post dealt briefly with the internal tension between walking in faith and fear. If faith is embraced, then it should have some sort of demonstration as to its reality at work in my life. Jesus reminds me of one important aspect of the faith walk and that is my confession.
I settled long ago that there is a difference between the “name it and claim it” crowd and the legitimate use of words in my journey with Jesus. Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21) and words are compared to a “rudder” which can steer one’s life (James 3:4-5), so what comes out of my mouth has incredible power and consequences. I need to think about what I am saying when there is crisis stirring around me and not be provoked into saying things which produce a negative consequence or direction.
If you are reading this, be prepared for some pushback on that precept. I don’t get too worked up anymore over misunderstandings and theological “strawmen” which accuse me of promoting heresy. The principle is fairly simple. In the same way I practiced Romans 10:8-10, in order to receive salvation (which was believing it was God’s Will for me to be saved, responding to that grace, and then confessing His Lordship and resurrection, salvation was in turn released to me), I believe God’s Word at this moment of pandemic crisis and I speak what the Scripture says because God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19, Titus 1:2).
My faith in God determines my speech.
I so wish I was more consistent at this. I have grown and matured through the years to where my track record has increased and consequently, I have seen incredible miracles these last years, but alas, I am as human as the next person and drop me in the middle of a pestilence and I can forget things I have learned long ago. So, I stir my mind and heart unto remembrance of those things which God has provided for His people. I am not denying the reality of the situation I am living in, but rather declaring the reality of God’s promises to overcome and provide the way of victory. I fully understand that sickness and plague is surrounding the globe. I fully understand that economies are crashing and people are being tossed into uncertainty. I am compassionate in the midst of those realities. However, I equally understand that God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than I could ever ask or think (Ephesians 3:20-21). I call to remembrance that if God be for me, who (or what) can be against me (Romans 8:31)?
My mouth shall match my faith…
And in practicing this precept, I shall see mountains moved and needs met, to the glory of God…
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