Faith the Disrupter

Jesus had a long couple of days. His disciples had just come back from their mission excited to tell Him about it. But because so many people kept coming, they didn’t even have a chance to eat. Although Jesus tried to take them away where they could talk and rest, too many people recognized them. By the time Jesus and the disciples landed, there was already a large crowd. He had compassion on them and stayed to preach and teach them.

It got late and the disciples worried about how to feed all five thousand men and who knows how many women and children. With only five loaves of bread and two fish, Jesus fed the crowd and taught His disciples a lesson in faith for provision.

That night, He sent the disciples on to another city and He went up on a mountain to pray. Shortly before dawn, Jesus walked out on the lake, and as He passed the disciples who were struggling with the boat, they cried out thinking He was a ghost. Jesus calmed the lake and climbed in with them. Another lesson in faith for troubled times.

Jesus left that place and traveled to the vicinity of Tyre. He looked forward to staying at a house where no one knew He was there, however, He could not keep His presence secret. A Greek woman born in Syrian Phoenicia, ran to where He was as soon as she heard He was there. Desperately, she fell on her knees and begged Jesus to drive out a demon from her daughter.

At first, Jesus resisted as He told her that He was there to fulfill the covenant for the Jews first who had faithfully served God. But something amazing happened when she pressed Him with humility, respect and trust. She told Him that she will gratefully accept any leftovers of His miraculous power. Even though she was a woman, Jesus took her seriously and granted her request because of her faith. Another lesson in faith for healing.

Faith is a disrupter of the norm and the expected. Faith disrupted the disciples' inability to feed a crowd and provided food and leftovers even though there was certainly not enough to start. Faith changes the inevitable. Faith calmed the waves and the wind on the lake, and calmed the fears of the disciples. Faith breaks chains and brings peace and calm in the midst of our storms. Faith pushes through when the answer should be “no.” Faith brings healing and miracles.

Faith disrupts fear, torment, sickness, disease and expected outcomes. It doesn’t meet any obstacle or mountain it cannot tear down. Faith will disrupt hell’s agenda for your life, and give you a new day.  Put on the cloak of faith and don’t take it off. Walk in it with confidence and boldness. Confront the lions and the strongholds in your life knowing you have the victory. Use your faith to push through, press in and overcome. Jesus has compassion and He moves on our faith. Just believe and let Him do the rest.

“‘Go,” said Jesus, “‘your faith has healed you.” Mark 10:52

“When Jesus saw their faith, He said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.” Luke 5:23

“For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.” Colossians 2:5

Prayer

Lord,

Just as the boy's father said to you, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief! I know that I have been given a measure of faith. I know that now I must build up that faith by walking with You, by building myself up in my most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit. Come what may, my faith is built up because I will never be alone for You are with me. Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. So I will not fear, for You are with me; I will not be dismayed, for You are my God. You will strengthen me and help me; You will uphold me with Your righteous right hand. I wait for You, my whole being waits, and in Your Word I put my hope. As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more. Amen!


Photo by Bruno Feitosa from Pexels

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