Text: Hebrews 12:12-15
Memory verse:
”And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.“ Luke 17:6 KJV
Faith is like the key that opens the way for God to act out of His limitless resources. In all the accounts on faith, Jesus shows us how a small amount of genuine faith can manifest like nuclear power.
The kind of offense described in Luke 17:1-5 is bitterness. It is the state of mind that willfully holds on to angry feelings and resentments, ready to take offense, able to break out in anger at any moment. Bitterness is hurt that is not properly processed, that is, holding on to hurt and refusing to forgive the one who hurts you. It is the anger that has been left to fester. It is deeply rooted, hence not quickly obvious, until it begins to bring out fruits. It is called the root of bitterness. ”looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;“ (Heb 12:15).
The sycamine tree used in the KJV is more appropriate instead of the mulberry. Unlike the mulberry fig, the sycamine fig was so bitter that it couldn’t be eaten whole. It grows to about 30 feet tall. It has a strong and large root system. Pulling it out from the ground was a major operation because of its extensive root system. In fact, the roots were believed to be so strong that it was virtually impossible to uproot. Thus, representing bitterness with the sycamine tree was to describe its nature. Just as the sycamine tree grows easily in every environment, bitterness and unforgiveness grow in human hearts everywhere, for they are universal in their scope of evil influence. Its destructive effect is gradual and not quickly obvious.
Now, bitterness, though deeply rooted and believed to be impossible to uproot, your mustard seed-size faith will pull it out. To pull it out and plant it into the sea is a figurative description of clearing it completely out of existence. You don’t need a mountain-size faith to eradicate the growth and the destructive effects of bitterness in your life.
Friends, apart from the bitter fruits that bitterness distributes and the poisoning effects on self and others, it also endangers your eternity with God. Don’t allow bitterness to disqualify you from grace. Don’t allow unforgiveness to shut the door of your own forgiveness. By faith, pull out that deep root of bitterness today.
Prayer points
1. I pull out the root of bitterness in me and I end its enslavement in Jesus’ name.
2. I release every hurt and resentment in me and I refuse to spread its bitter fruits in Jesus’ name.
Today’s declarations
1. Small faith in a big God will pull out deeply rooted and impossible bitterness.
2. Bitterness doesn’t grow in me because I don’t allow hurts and resentment to linger in my heart.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng