Read John 5:1-9
“Yes, Lord, I Believe You Can Work In My Life, BUT….”
Jesus was in Jerusalem at one of the festivals. He went to the pool of water called Bethesda. A great number of disabled people would lie by this pool. Their belief was that whenever the water was stirred, that the first disabled person in the pool would be healed. A certain man was there who had been an invalid for 38 years. Jesus heard of this man and had compassion for him. He asked the man, “Do you want to get well?” Of course he wanted to get well, but he complained that he had no one to help him get in the pool after it stirred. Jesus wasn’t thinking of the power of the pool, but the power of God for this man’s healing.
Isn’t that like us? Jesus asks us, “Do you want to get well?” Basically what Jesus is saying, “Do you want to see a change in your life?” Such a change could be a form of healing, a transformation, freedom from sin and addiction, etc. We look at our lives and think, “Of course I want to experience this change!” But like the invalid, we begin to make excuses because we are focused on our surrounding circumstances versus the power of God. “Yes, Lord, I believe you can work in my life, BUT….” I live in a family with no support. I am inhibited by my lack of knowledge. My circumstances have to change first and they never will. And the list of excuses hold us down so we never prosper, never succeed, we never experience victories in our lives, and we never overcome our obstacles because we aren’t relying on God’s power. We rely on everything but God’s power.
When Jesus said to the invalid, “Pick up your mat and walk”, the man did and he was healed. Perhaps Jesus is saying to you, “Pick up your mat and walk!” And for you, that means quit living in fear and doubt. Quit being bound by your circumstances. Quit relying on your power. Quit trying to be in control. Rely on the power of God. Rise up out of all the lies and negativity and find Hope for your life and future through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
What would you have to do today in order to rise up and experience his victory and hope for your life. Identify it and do it and quit living in the bondage and lies of the enemy.
