This Isn't Working
A sermon part of "The Real Jesus" sermon series by Pastor Greg Harvey.
Devotionals from This Message
Five short reflections drawn from this message — Monday through Friday.
Faith Requires Stretching Before Feeling
Thursday
'And he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.' - Mark 3:1-6
When Jesus told the man to stretch out his withered hand, He was asking him to do the very thing his condition made impossible. This is how faith works - God asks us to act before we feel ready, to move before we see the path clearly. Faith isn't about having all the answers or feeling confident; it's about trusting God's word enough to take the first step. Maybe God is asking you to forgive when you don't feel forgiving, to step into a new opportunity when you feel unqualified, or to trust Him with a relationship when you feel afraid. The miracle happens in the stretching, not in the feeling. God has already spoken His word over your life - now He's waiting for you to stretch in response to it, trusting that He will do what you cannot do.
It takes faith to stretch out what is wrong with you. It takes faith to reveal to somebody and reveal to God what is wrong with you.
Reflect: What is God asking you to 'stretch out' in faith, even though you don't feel ready or capable?
Prayer: God, give me the faith to stretch out in obedience to Your word, even when I don't feel ready. Help me trust that You will do what I cannot do.
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