Romancing The Rock

Truly I tell you, 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.” [Matthew 20:20-22 NIV]

Photo by Svein Johannessen

The disciples saw Jesus perform many miracles, and yet, when He had compassion on a large crowd and told them to feed the multitude, they thought it was impossible — and they had even seen Jesus miraculously feed a huge mob once before. They scratched around for food and only came up with a handful of loaves.

The Israelites saw miracle after miracle in the desert as they travelled, yet they still cried “what are we going to do?” whenever things became difficult. They went back to the thought that they would have been better off in Egypt.

To the disciples, Jesus often said, “oh, ye of little faith.” To the Israelites, God often said, “you are a stiff-necked people.” I wonder what He would say to me…

Photo by abcdz2000 via sxc

I have been challenged over this the last few days. If the Lord is truly Number One in my life, should I not go to Him first when something goes wrong? Instead, if I or one of my children is sick or hurt, I run for the medicine cabinet. Or, if I lose something, I spend ages searching the whole house in frustration. It seems I only go to the Lord as a last resort, when I can’t fix it myself.

Should it not be the other way around? Should I not go to Him first for answers or healing? Would He shake His head at me with a loving smile and say “oh, ye of little faith”? I suspect He would. And so, I will endeavour to change my thought process and go to Him first.

What about you? Where do you go to first? Do you try to fix things yourself or with man’s solutions, or do you go straight to the Lord in prayer?

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” [Mark 11:24 NIV]