Have Faith In God
Emphasis: Faith That Speaks
Attribute: Authority
Theme: “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.” — Mark 11:22 (KJV)
Jesus said in Mark 11:22, “Have faith in God.” Then He continued, “Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed… and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe… he shall have whatsoever he saith.” — Mark 11:23 (KJV)
Jesus spoke these words before the cross, resurrection, and Pentecost. The disciples had not yet experienced the fullness of what was coming through the New Covenant and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Yet Jesus was already teaching them a powerful principle: faith does not spend all its time describing the mountain. There comes a time to speak to it.
Emphasis — Faith That Speaks
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” — Proverbs 18:21 (KJV)
Our words matter, but our confidence is not in the words themselves. Jesus first said, “Have faith in God.” The power is not positive thinking or finding the perfect words. Our faith rests in the living God and what He has spoken.
Sometimes our circumstances seem to have plenty to say. Even our own bodies speak to us through weakness, pain, exhaustion, and physical limitations. We should never ignore what our bodies are telling us, but neither should we allow fear to become our confession. David spoke to his own soul: “Why art thou cast down, O my soul?… hope thou in God.” — Psalm 42:11 (KJV) Sometimes we need to remind ourselves who God is and what He has said.
Attribute — Authority
Before the cross, Jesus gave the twelve disciples “power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.” — Luke 9:1 (KJV) Judas was among those twelve. That tells us something important: the authority did not originate in the disciples; Jesus gave it to them.
After the resurrection, Jesus declared, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore…” — Matthew 28:18–19 (KJV) The order matters. All authority belongs to Jesus, and therefore He sends us.
Then came the promise of Acts 1:8: “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” We are not trying to manufacture spiritual power in our flesh. The Holy Spirit dwells within the believer, empowering us to live, witness, pray, and obey.
Theme — Speak to the Mountain
There is a difference between denying a mountain and refusing to bow to it. Biblical faith does not pretend circumstances are not real. Faith looks directly at what seems impossible and still believes God is greater.
A.W. Tozer wrote, “Faith is the gaze of a soul upon a saving God.”
That is the foundation of Mark 11:23. Before Jesus ever said to speak to the mountain, He said, “Have faith in God.” We don’t place faith in ourselves, our ability, or even our words. We place our faith in Him.
The mountain does not get the final word. God does.
Life Application
What mountain has been doing most of the talking in your life? Stop continually rehearsing what fear and circumstances say and begin reminding yourself what God has said. Speak His Word, pray in faith, depend upon the Holy Spirit, and then obey His command to “Go ye therefore.”
Faith is not confidence in how loudly I can speak. Faith is confidence in the God who sent me.
Prayer
Father, teach me to have faith in You. Let Your Word become louder than my fear and circumstances. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and teach me to walk under the authority of Jesus Christ. Give me faith to face the mountain and courage to go where You send me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
