Have faith in God

What did Jesus mean when He said these words in Mark 11:22-24?

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

​There are five things expected of us in these 3 verses of instruction that may make us feel uncomfortable, but they are far too valuable to ignore and have the potential to abundantly bless us:

Having faith; commanding; asking; believing and not doubting.

They have to be understood in light of the context of the fig tree Jesus cursed the day before and had now withered from the roots a day later.  Right after Peter marvels at the withered tree, Jesus launches into "Have faith in God." The two are directly related. Jesus had no problem believing that the moment He cursed the fig tree it would begin to die but there would be no evidence until the next day. What Jesus said, happened. Jesus didn't just think about the fig tree either; He commanded it.

This tells me too, that when we stand in faith we too have to command our mountains to move even though we might not see any results until later. Here’s where the temptation to doubt presents itself. We must not! He used the analogy of a mountain to tell us that size doesn't matter when it comes to having faith in God for our mountainous challenges. I also believe that when He said "this" mountain, and not "a" mountain, He was being specific. This has to be something the Holy Spirit has led one to, to contend with. You will know, because it will be standing right in front of you!

In verse 23 the word "believes" is not a one-time event, but a continual process of faith even if there is no evidence to support that our mountain has moved. Secondly, this is the hard part: We must believe that we have received what we asked for, and it will be ours. We have already received it in the supernatural and it will be realized in the natural later. This is wonderful news! Be aware however, this is where many think this is a formula, and it is not one. Jesus is the manifester of His own hand; we do not command Jesus to do anything. However, we are to operate in this confidently as it is being obedient to what Jesus told us to do. Whether our mountain moves or not, Jesus is pleased by our faith in Him and His Word. There is much we will not know on this side of eternity but that doesn't excuse us to quit believing.

​He is with us and will help us in our mountainous challenges no matter what.

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