How can Mark 11:21 inspire us to trust God's timing and authority? Context—The Living Object Lesson “Peter remembered it and said, ‘Look, Rabbi! The fig tree You cursed has withered.’” (Mark 11:21) • The previous morning Jesus had said, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again” (Mark 11:14). • At the time, nothing looked different; twenty-four hours later the tree is dead from the roots up (Mark 11:20). • What seemed like a simple incident becomes a vivid demonstration that the Lord’s spoken word always accomplishes its purpose (Isaiah 55:10-11). God’s Timing—Immediate Yet Unhurried • The fig tree began dying the moment Jesus spoke; the disciples only saw the evidence the next day. • In the same way, when God makes a promise, the fulfillment can be working invisibly long before we notice it (Habakkuk 2:3; 2 Peter 3:8-9). • Our role: keep walking in faith, confident that His timetable is perfect even when results take time to appear (Ecclesiastes 3:1). God’s Authority—Irresistible and Complete • A single sentence from Jesus overrides the natural life cycle of a tree—He rules created order down to the roots (Psalm 115:3; Job 42:2). • This same authority now belongs to the risen Christ: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matthew 28:18). • Because His authority is absolute, His promises are absolutely secure (2 Corinthians 1:20). What Trust Looks Like Today • Anchor your expectations to God’s Word, not to visible circumstances. • Resist the urge to “help God out” when delays stretch your patience; the unseen work is already underway (Romans 8:24-25). • Turn unanswered prayers into declarations of confidence: “Lord, You have spoken; I will wait for the visible withered-fig-tree moment.” • Rehearse past instances of the Lord’s perfect timing—personal or biblical—to strengthen present faith (Hebrews 13:8). A Simple Next Step This week, identify one promise of God that seems delayed. Write it out, attaching the reference. Each day thank Him that, just as the fig tree’s condition eventually matched His word, your situation will in due season reflect His unshakeable authority and impeccable timing. |
    |