Monday November 20th, 2023
« Those who are trusting in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be overthrown. They remain forever »
12 Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry.
13 And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.
14 In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.”
20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”
22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.
23 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.
24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
At the opening of the story in today’s Bible reading, the Lord Jesus saw a fig tree that, though blossoming, had no fruit.
The Lord therefore decided to teach His disciple two major lessons from it.
The first is the danger of fruitlessness even when the grace of God is upon our lives.
The fig was leavy and green- a sign that it had potential to bear fruit, though it was not bearing any.
Thus, Jesus delivered judgment upon it immediately.
The second lesson Jesus taught His disciples on the day is on faith, because He decreed that the fig tree should dry up and it came to pass immediately.
Jesus’ words in Mark 11:22 provide the foundation for our major lesson today. He said to His disciples “Have faith in God” .
Whatever we desire as children of God, we should put it forward to the Lord in prayer and we shall receive it.
You may wonder then why He asked in Luke 18:8 CEV
« …….But when the Son of Man comes, will he find on this earth anyone with faith »
The above is where the challenge lies for many believers who are yet to receive answers to their requests from God.
The only way such people can get what they want is by exercising faith in God.
Beloved, take note of the words of Jesus Christ in today’s reading which says in Mark 11: 23WEB
«……and doesn’t doubt in their heart, but believes that what they say is happening, they shall have whatever they say »
It is one thing to pray, it is another thing to actually believe that God will do what we have asked for.
The story is told of a priest who called for prayers because there had been drought in the land. After the congregation had gathered for prayers, the priest looked around and asked “Brethren, are you not ready to pray?” the parishioner replied “How do you mean? That is what we have come to do.” He asked again “What have you come to do?” And they chorused” To pray for rain.” Then he asked, “Where are your umbrellas and raincoats if indeed you believe God will answer your prayers?” The parishioners’ faith was stirred up so they went to fetch their umbrellas and raincoats. God honored their faith and gave them rain.
What a lesson! Beloved, you must have faith in God for Him to bless you.
Prayer focus – Increase my faith today, Lord I pray, in Jesus’ name.
Author: Bishop Enoch. A. Adeboye.
Edited by Naomie
Freely you received, freely you must give (Math 10:8) , kindly share this devotion, and the Lord will bless you for it .
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