Text: Mark 5:35-36; John 14:1
Memory text:
“As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.””
Mark 5:36 NKJV
When common sense says, “Why are you still waiting for it?” When your mind whispers, “Do you think He really cares?” When colleagues ask, “Don’t you think you should try another means?” When some brethren also add, “Apply wisdom. Don’t you know that everyone is figuring it out?” When undiscerning family members say, “Don’t bother praying about it. It’s a dead case.” At such times, just listen, and you will hear a gentle voice behind that loud and forceful voice saying to you, “Fear not. Only believe!”
Time can’t be a limitation when God chooses to do anything. He is sovereign even over time itself. Our God is beyond the limits of space and time. He can’t be too late to accomplish His perfect plans. Remember that He was four days late to Lazarus’ tomb, yet He was on time! (John 11:40). Jesus waited for four days as proof that He is able to reverse the irreversible and change the unchangeable. He is the God of all impossibilities. Whatever is judged impossible with men is possible with God (Matt 19:26; Mark 10:27). Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.
This ruler had battled with the fear of being scorned by his Pharisee colleagues and followers for going to an “unaccredited” teacher if his daughter wasn’t resuscitated. What about the fear of being disappointed after patiently waiting for so long? He battled in faith against the fears of the soon coming danger. Now, the imminent danger has now become a present danger, and the fear was eventually unveiled. A short while ago, he said to Jesus, “My little daughter lies at the point of death…” but now they said to him, “Your daughter is dead…”. What a trial of faith!
Don’t fear, for God is never a disappointment. Don’t give up on Him, for He won’t give up on you. In his song, ‘He is Able’, Deitrick Haddon expresses this thought in one of the lyrics. “God is able to do just what He said He would do. He’s gonna fulfill every promise to you. Don’t give up on God, cause He won’t give up on you
He’s able. He’s able.”
Friends, in the midst of the threatening fears, don’t give in to fear, nor quit. Only believe. Faith is trusting God enough to act on what you believe of Him. Satan traffics in fear, while God triumphs in faith! Faith is enough. Faith is all God asks. Don’t try to believe and be afraid at the same time. Your faith will be tried, but don’t give in to fear. Hallelujah!
Prayer points
1. I take up my shield of faith, and I triumph over all present, soon coming and future fears, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, I refuse to cast away my armour of faith and confidence in You and to give in to fears and doubts, in Jesus’ name.
Today’s declarations
1. Satan traffics in fear, but through faith in God and His word, I triumph over fear.
2. My antidote to fear anytime is faith. I choose faith over fear.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng