When you pray, do you really believe that you will receive what you have prayed for? Many times when we pray, the doubts may creep in, believing that this or that prayer could never be answered, so why bother even praying, especially if that prayer may be counter to nature. In today’s Gospel reading we will read just such a scenario, and our Lord’s response. Let’s see what lessons the Lord can teach us in His Word.
As our Scripture opens, it is the day after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when the crowds had cheered and waved palms. Jesus had spent the night with friends in Bethany, and now was reentering Jerusalem. He was hungry and saw a fig tree up ahead that was full of leaves. When He looked over the tree, Jesus saw that there was no fruit, and He proclaimed a curse upon the tree (vs. 12-14). Was this a surprising and rare time when Jesus just lost His temper, when He was hungry and just got angry? No, this, like everything Jesus did, was a lesson for us. First, when fig trees in the Holy Land had leaves, that was an indication that there should be fruit. These fig trees would have two crops of figs each year. The first crop was in spring, the breba figs which is what Jesus would have been looking for. They are not the best or sweetest fig, but they are a guarantee of the good ones to come later in the year. A tree with no breba figs is a tree that will be barren later on.
This was an object lesson. The fig tree had often been a symbol of the people of Israel. Like a fig tree that was full of leaves, they looked good from afar. They had all of the trappings of true religion, but they had lost the point, they had no fruit. They were about to kill their Messiah. Jesus cursed the empty, barren tree as a sign that God would bring judgment on His corrupt people. We may look good from afar, but Jesus comes near looking for fruit that only the Holy Spirit can produce. Jesus is warning, when God comes looking will there be any fruit?
Then the day after this, as Jesus and His disciples passed by that way again, Peter noticed that the tree that Jesus had cursed had withered down to its roots (vs. 20-21). He was amazed, but Jesus said that he shouldn’t be. He proceeded to teach them a lesson on prayer and having faith in God when we pray (vs. 22-24). Do we believe or have doubt in our heart? When we pray, speak faith into your spirit, even with the difficult prayers. Remind yourself of the promises of God. Remember, God “calls those things which are not as though they were” (Romans 4:17). Your tongue will either announce your next victory or your next defeat. Speak victory. Refuse to open the door for the enemy’s attack with what you say.
Mountain-sized problems and obstacles are part of living in a fallen world. God is committed to removing only those obstacles that are hindrances to His will. We must also make sure that we are not the obstacle standing in God’s way. Jesus said that we would have trouble in this life, but that He had overcome the world (John 16:33). When our problems seem overwhelming, have faith in God and pray.
There are a couple of points to remember when we pray, and in expecting answers from God. Just because we add “in Jesus’ Name” at the end of a prayer doesn’t mean that the prayer, no matter what it is, will be granted. First, one must have a saving relationship with God. Then, we must request only what is consistent with Jesus’ character. If it is, God is able to do whatever is in His will. God won’t say yes to prayer that will hurt us or derail His purpose. Is our goal to glorify God and let others see Him? Is our motive selfish, greedy, or impure?
Jesus continued teaching on prayer with the admonition that it is important to forgive others if you want to have God hear and answer your prayers (vs. 25-26). Don’t waste time holding onto anger towards someone who has wronged you. Forgive that person today. Whatever reason you have for not forgiving someone, it isn’t listed in the Bible as a condition that you don’t need to forgive. God knows your situation, and He has still called you to forgive, no matter the circumstances.
In closing, realize that doubt tears down what faith tries to build. Doubt nullifies what faith desires to bring to pass. As you pray, lift up faith and not the problem. Lift up faith and not the obstacles. Lift up your faith in God, and not the circumstances. There is nothing greater than God!
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