When Jesus Saw Their Faith

“And when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5 (ESV)

Isn’t it interesting that the story of the paralytic man was recorded in three of the four gospels? It suggests we should take note, pay attention, and ask ourselves what lessons the story offers. There is so much we can take away from what was written about the Paralytic man in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. But I want us to focus on the four men, four friends perhaps? I don’t know, because scripture doesn’t say if they were friends, but I would like to think that they were. That’s the context from which I want to write to you today.

Some of us are in new seasons, our lives have changed since last year. Maybe we moved to a new place, spiritually, and moving to a new place requires us to have a different perspective about who we are as God’s daughters. Or maybe the move was physical, or even emotional, and you have made some self-evaluations and decided that the friends you have now have somehow contributed to the stagnation of your growth with the Lord Jesus. Daughters of Fire, do you have some friends or sisters whose prayers can lower you at the feet of Jesus? Do you have friends who are making intercession and intercepting the plans of the enemy concerning you and your family in the heavenly places?

Seasons of life reveal true friendships and sisterhood. It’s in the hardest of times that our hearts, no matter how much we try to hide them, are revealed. The last season of my life revealed true Sisterhood. It revealed not just the hearts of my friends but also my heart. I love it when God shows us how authentic our friends are and how much we need an honest community. A community that will love and correct, and the love balances give grace with the correction because it brings us to a place of not only conviction but godly sorrow and true repentance. True Sisterhood, which calls for honesty and transparency, reveals not just our hearts but the heart of the Father for us. God wants us to live in an authentic community that draws us closer to Him and glorifies Him. Have you ever prayed for something and had a friend who was praying even harder for you? This is the picture I see in the story of the Paralytic man. He obviously couldn’t move, but his friends could. He didn’t have the strength, but his friends did. It is written that Jesus saw the faith of his friends; maybe he had faith, maybe he didn’t, but it was the faith of His friends that Jesus saw. How cool is that? How amazing is that? This was probably his last chance for healing before Jesus moved to another town, but the faith of His friends touched the heart of Jesus.

What will Jesus see about the faith of your friends? Does the faith of your friends touch the heart of Jesus? Is there faith in your circle of friends, among your sisters?

In the last season of my life, I couldn’t even mention the word “doubt.” I had some friends that were believing for the promises of God in my life more than I did at times. Daughters of Fire, that is my desire for you, an authentic community filled with the love and Presence of Christ. Friends who become Sisters who will invest in you spiritually by praying, laying hands, and speaking life over you. Friends who hurt and cry when you hurt and cry. Friends who will protect and be ready to fight for you in those weak moments. Sisters who will cause you to fall in love with Jesus all over again, because of their faith. Sisters who will grow with you, and not compete with you. Sisters who reciprocate the love and support you give them. Sisters who pray for the needs of your family with the same passion and fire as if they are praying for their own needs and their family. Daughters of Fire, can you really identify such women as these in your circle? We’re not talking about the sisterhood of gossip, envy, and rivalry. Not the friendships where every time you gather, someone is being pulled down. Such conversations don’t edify each other, and it grieves the Holy Spirit. If you’ve found yourself among such friends, I challenge you to become better; maybe you are the one who can change your environment. Maybe you will be ostracized, but I encourage you to stand for truth and what pleases the Lord.

Daughters of Fire, that’s my prayer for you. That you would find your circle. a godly one. If you don’t have one, pray about becoming or even creating one. May you be lowered at the beautiful feet of Your Redeemer. May you be lowered in the Presence of Your Deliverer. May your friends have the mind and heart of Christ, that will cause you to walk with the fruit of forgiveness, love, and compassion for friends and strangers alike. May the Lord Jesus see the faith of your friends and heal you from past hurt, trauma, comparison, jealousy, and envy. May the Lord Jesus see the faith of our friends and sisters, and heal our hearts, marriages, families, church, community, islands, countries and nations. May His Kingdom come and His will be done in your life and in the lives of your friends. I love you, but Jesus loves you best!