Wednesday, January 19, 2011
"BLIND" FAITH
Have you had a tough week this week? Difficulty sleeping, fears within and without? Have you had a difficult week at work? In order that we may gain a little perspective, let's set aside the things that have happened to us and open the Scriptures together. Let's look in on a busy day in the life of the Savior, Jesus.
"When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, 'Son of David, have mercy on us!'" (Matthew 9:27).
The miracles that Jesus accomplished not only showed that He was the Son of God. Those who knew the Scriptures would also recognize them as evidence that He was the Christ. Yet, even though these two men hadn't seen a single miracle, they believed Him to be the Promised Savior.
Let this serve to remind us that faith in Christ doesn't depend on sight. These two blind men believed in Jesus having never seen Him do a thing. We believe in Him even though we've never heard or seen Him with our own eyes. We believe in Him because the same Holy Spirit who created faith in their hearts through the Word has done the same for us.
Also notice what the two blind men asked of Jesus: that He have mercy on them. They didn't specify what He should do. They trusted that He knew and would do what was best for them.
When we pray about earthly concerns whether it be a new job, the cessation of disease, let's pray like those blind men: "Jesus, have mercy on us." Let's make our requests known to God, but not demand that God resolve our problems according to our way of thinking. Let's pray as Jesus Himself did, that God's will be done ... not ours.
How did Jesus respond to their prayer? It seems He didn't respond right away. Was He testing them? Perhaps. We can say this much: they were persistent.
Do you mind if I ask you how persistent are you in your prayers? Do you despair of asking if there is no clear reply in a day or two? Do you continue to earnestly bring the matter to the Lord in prayer? Do we expect that God should answer our prayers RIGHT NOW? Take a cue from two blind men and keep following Him and keep asking.
