Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
As the history of humanity has progressed, we’ve learned more and more how to expand our capabilities and increase our knowledge. And we should. It’s healthy for us to realize the extent to which we can grow. Nevertheless, we remain constrained. No matter how far we go or how much we learn, we still have limits. For example, we cannot cheat death; science will only take us so far. We’re discovering new technologies, but there are mysteries of this Earth that even the most brilliant of minds cannot solve. Each generation experiences new blessings, but we cannot supersede our Creator, no matter how hard we try. It is God who remains as the source of all that is good in this world. So why then, does faith grow dim when life seems out of our control?
The Miracle of the Two Blind Men
When we experience darkness in this world, it can feel difficult to believe that life can change for the better. The devil tempts us to give up, to succumb to the pain that we feel, but God wants us to know – we still have options. We can reach out to God to lighten the load so that we can come to a place of peace. Do you feel frustrated, however, that you have to carry this load in the first place?
It’s normal to prefer wanting to avoid a struggle altogether, than to go through the process of overcoming it… but here we are. And should you find yourself in this position, I’d like for you to consider the miracle Jesus performed in Matthew 9:27-29. The scriptures read:
When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it.”
These two men were following Jesus after He had departed from the house where He raised a ruler’s daughter from the dead. As Jesus was initially walking towards that house, He also healed a woman with an issue of blood. As Jesus was walking, an opportunity presented itself and they asked for mercy to be healed. In turn Christ asked – Do you believe that I am able to do this?
Do We Believe?
This is a question we should be asking ourselves. Do we believe that God is able to do what we’ve asked of Him? Hebrews 11:6 tells us: But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. If you deconstruct this statement, it defines faith as believing in God and in His ability to provide good for us should we search Him out. That’s what these two men did.
Furthermore, consider John 3:16. It reads: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. There is power in believing in Christ. Through Him, we are also granted access to God’s forgiveness, salvation, and the resurrection of life. Such a concept is filled with love and grace, but sometimes hard to accept. How can I have access to God’s greatness and still find myself consumed by life’s tribulations?
The spirit of Doubt
Having access and using your access are two different things. If we go back to the question Christ asked the two blind men – Do you believe I am able to do this? – He was asking if they were ready to tap into their access. For us, when put our requests before the throne we are given some advice in James 1:6-7. The scriptures state: But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.
Faith is our access. Belief is the passport we need to utilize our access to the God’s divine power. We cannot experience God in His fullness if doubt lingers in our hearts. If we do not fully believe, then life’s tribulations will weigh heavier and heavier on our lives. God does not want that for us. Instead, He’s asking us to trust that He hears us when we come before His presence. We are called to walk in faith, knowing that God has us covered, no matter what life throws our way.
For Christ and the two blind men, He asked this question to signal to those who heard Him and those who would read this story, that belief is key to our spiritual success. Without it, we will not arrive at where we need to go. Moreover, it’s important to note these men did not ask in secret, for Christ to heal them. They asked in the open. That’s what belief looks like. We can proclaim God’s goodness trusting that the outcome He leads us to, is the best one for us.
According to Your Faith
After Christ asked the two men if they believed that He was able to do exactly what they were asking for, they responded by saying – Yes, Lord. Then Christ said – According to your faith let it be to you. Notice, Jesus did not say – you are healed. In other words, He told them that they would receive what their faith allowed them to receive. Even now, we have a part to play in the answering of our requests before the throne of God. This is why believing in God is so important. Like the centurion in Matthew 8, who believed that simply by Jesus speaking, his servant would be healed – we too can come boldly before the throne. God wants to give us good, we just need to believe that He is and that He will.
But what happens when faith grows dim? How do we keep the fire alive when life seems to be pulling us down paths we do not want to go? Let’s look back at these two blind men. Given the time they lived in, I would imagine their quality of life was negatively impacted. If they focused too heavily on being upset that they were in this predicament, they would’ve run the risk of missing out on their blessing. Instead, when they encountered Jesus, they considered there was a possibility for change, and acted on it.
We too, must do the same. Life will present to us situations that are out of our control, but that doesn’t mean they are out of God’s reach. From this miracle of the blind men, we learn that darkness, whether literal or figurative, cannot hinder us from finding Christ should we choose to seek. Where our capabilities end is where God’s begins. Do you believe? I hope so, and when you find yourself struggling try God out anyway. Faith takes practice and through His love, we will find a sweet peace in submitting to His will and His ways.
#GodBless from #LovesAnAction
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