My Verse For 2020 ~ Jeremiah 33:3

I wrote this over ten years ago...

 In Mark 9 we read the account of the man whose son had a dumb spirit. Even the disciples failed to help this man and his son. It occurred to me that if this man had been like many people, he would have used that as an excuse to turn away from Jesus, but no, he still sought out the Lord. As I reread the different accounts in the gospels, I couldn’t help but think what great faith that man had. Then I realized that this is also where Jesus spoke to his disciples about having faith that can move a mountain. I thought, “Lord, I want that faith that moves mountains!”

 I decided to look for other examples of that kind of faith. I read about the woman with the issue of blood. She had been to all the doctors and had spent all of her money trying to find someone who could heal her. Even after twelve years she still held out hope. When she heard about Jesus she knew that if she could just get close enough to touch but his clothes, she would be made whole. That is mountain moving faith! Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief!

  As much as I believe God’s word to be true, there are still situations when I have to say, “Help thou mine unbelief.” Will I ever come to the point of believing that through faith I can move a mountain? Oh, how I want that faith!

  I had asked, "Will I ever come to the point of believing that through faith I can move a mountain?"

 And here I am saying again...Oh, how I want that faith!

 Every year I ask God to give me a verse for the coming year, and usually, there is a word that sums up the verse. I'm always amazed at the way God directs me, but not surprised that it's usually through the preaching of his word. It's often a convoluted process, as you'll see in this post, but that's just how it seems to work!

 Back in November, a word came to me...Acceptance. I was feeling like there are some things in life that I need to just accept that this is how it is;  things I need to just let go. 

 I have a ceramic Bible on my shelf, a gift from my sister in law, with the serenity prayer on it...God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; The courage to change the things I can, And the wisdom to know the difference....maybe that's what I needed to do. I thought my verse would be something along those lines... of being content perhaps. 

 Honestly though, I was just feeling a bit Eeyoreish...I know that's not a real word, but a good description of my mood!

 Then at the beginning of December, our pastor preached a message...we've been going through the book of Luke, and in chapter 8 we came to the account of Jairus' daughter as well as the woman with the issue of blood. 

Luke 8:50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

 And it hit me...NO, not acceptance! 

I thought, 'When did I become so complacent? When did I stop believing enough to pray consistently and fervently?'
I thought of 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing and James 5:16b The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Maybe my word was Prayer... then I started thinking about all of God's Promises...A bit of searching for promises led me to a whole other idea...but that's for another day!

The following Sunday we skipped back to Luke 1 and 2, and the message was about Elizabeth, Mary and Anna. There was much more to the message, but this is what stood out for me:

In Luke 1, how long had Elizabeth and Zacharias been praying for a child? Even though they were older, 'well stricken in years,' they continued to trust and pray.

Luke 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

In Luke 2, how long had Anna been waiting and expecting to see the Messiah? She never gave up fasting and praying.

Luke 2:37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

Do I pray like Zacharias and Elizabeth or Anna? How often do I pray, but really don't expect an answer? 

So many scriptures came to mind...

James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

James 4:2....ye have not, because ye ask not

Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Then this verse-

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

  A promise from God...I learned this verse shortly after my salvation. It was at that time that I realized how God had begun to work in my heart when I finally acknowledged that HE IS and began to seek Him in His word. He rewarded me by revealing more and more to me until I came to a saving knowledge of his Son, Jesus Christ. I KNEW this promise to be true; God had shown his faithfulness to me so early on in my Christian life. 

 Yes, prayer is a good word, but without faith, it's just that- a word. Without faith, I cannot please him...I must diligently seek him and BELIEVE that when I call unto him, he will answer, just as he did Zacharias and Elizabeth and Anna ...no matter how long it takes. 

 Another promise...and my verse for 2020 (I chose this same verse in 2015!)

Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

 As I was writing this post a situation came up that impressed upon me, even more, my need for mountain moving faith. I don't know what great and mighty things God will show me in regard to this situation or others throughout the coming year, but I do know that I will only see them if I diligently seek him and call unto him.  

"Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief,

I want that faith that moves mountains.

Lord, I want to believe.

You’re my only hope and strength, 

Dear Lord, help thou mine unbelief.

Lord, I want that faith; mountain moving faith.

You’re strong when I am weak.

 Lord, I believe."

This is a link to the full lyrics and recording of the song I wrote 10 years ago.

I Want That Faith

Follow us on FaceBook: Living Our Lives Well