Master's Touch, Our Faith

We know that God is sovereign. We know that He is in control. We know that He rules on His own. But do we know how much our faith plays into our lives? Does God sit on His throne making decisions regardless of our faith? Does He take into account our faith, our works, our deeds? Does He judge based on our faith? Does He act upon our faith? But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him. Hebrews 10:38

God does rule with His sovereignty over all this earth. However, He is moved by our faith. Our faith does influence our God. He shows us over and over what our faith does. Through our faith we are healed. Through our faith we are well. Through our faith we are saved. Through our faith we are granted our requests. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

The two blind men who pleaded for mercy. "Do you believe that I am able to do this? Yes, Lord," they replied. Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you." Matthew 9:28-29

The woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years touched the edge of Jesus' garment. She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." Matthew 9:21-22

A Canaanite woman whose daughter suffered terribly from demon possession cried out to the Lord. Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour. Matthew 15:28

Ten men who had leprosy cried out to Jesus asking for pity. One Samaritan man returned to Jesus praised Him. Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." Luke 17:19

The sinful woman who wept at Jesus feet, wiped them with her hair and poured perfume on them. Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." Luke 7:50

The blind beggar, Bartimaeus, cried out to the Lord repeatedly against the crowd's hush. "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Mark 10:51-52

The paralytic who was lowered from the roof and carried to Jesus by four men. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Mark 2:5

The lunatic son who is very ill and often falls into the fire and into the water. His father took him to the disciples but they could not cure him. Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:19-21
Even the disciples were told that because of their little faith they could not heal this child.

We live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Romans 10:17
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

Because my life has personally been faced with what the world sees as impossible, I have written onto my heart the promise of our Lord. Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:21-22

Now, that pierces my heart. I know what the world tells me and it is: to go on, move on, get over it. Why? Because in man's eyes my situation appears very impossible. It is impossible IN MAN'S EYES. But then, man is not who rules my world. I believe because Jesus tells me to. I believe because my heart wants to. I believe because doubt fills my heart with guilt. Who am I to doubt Him? Who am I to say He won't move this very huge, very impossible mountain? He tells me that I can throw this mountain into the sea...if only I have faith and do not doubt.

These verses clearly show us that we DO have an active part in what does or doesn't happen. Our faith releases God's power to perform these magnificent miracles. Let me not confuse this with the question of why our faith doesn't always result in the movement of those mountains into the sea. Why does our faith not always lead to those miracles? That is a question I can't answer nor understand. I believed, what I thought to be, with all of my heart for a loved one to be saved from cancer. I did. I believed Jesus was going to heal her. It didn't happen and I may never know why. However, do I want to take the chance of not believing in my God to provide my miracle now just to hear Him say it didn't happen "because you have so little faith"? No. Absolutely not. I do not want my lack of faith or my little faith to be the reason that God doesn't throw this mountain into the sea and provide the miracle I so desire. (Or any future ones.)

It's not about believing in the miracle. It's not about believing in the chance or probability. It's not about believing I have to receive my miracle. At times, it's not even about the miracle and wanting it. It's about believing in MY God to do this. It's about believing in God's power to change these circumstances. It's about believing God wants to do this for me and others involved. It's about believing in the awesome glory that will shine for His kingdom and reveal His majesty through this. It's about believing God wants me to believe and not doubt. He tells us not to doubt so I ask "who am I to doubt" even this thing that looks so very bleak? I have no right to doubt my God.

Are you doubting? Are you believing with your WHOLE heart? Do you have the faith that can wither the fig tree? Do you have the faith that can throw the mountain into the sea?

Do you believe your faith has a place in the Master's Touch? Do you believe your faith has power with the Master's Touch?

May I challenge you to not put God into a box? Is that not what we do when we doubt? You see, we doubt the Master because we doubt the physical possibility of a person or circumstance changing. It's okay to doubt the likelihood of change in the physical realm without God. Our faith is not in the person or circumstance but rather in the Almighty who can overcome ANYTHING!!! We must now doubt God and His power to change the impossible. Nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37. As I've said previously, impossible odds lead to amazing miracles. Part of that equation is our faith in our Master to change those impossible odds and grace us with those miracles.

Believing and Not Doubting,