Believing Equals Receiving

In every Scriptural account in the Word of God where a miracle took place or where God did a mighty work, the principles pointed out in the previous chapter were present. The persons involved knew what was available, how to receive what they needed, and what to do with it after they received, and they had their needs and wants coordinated knowing that God’s ability equals His willingness to keep His promises. When these keys are understood, we can read any place from Genesis to Revelation and see this pattern. As an illustration, let’s begin with Mark 3:1. And he [Jesus] entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. The man had a need. The synagogue was the place where people worshipped, where they were taught, where people of God were to meet and have their needs met. Verse 2, And they [the Pharisees] watched him [Jesus], whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. Why did these so-called religious leaders watch Jesus? Because they wanted to accuse Jesus if He did any healing on the wrong day of the week. These people were surely interested in the man who had the withered hand, were they not? No. They were only interested in whether Jesus acted at the right place, at the right time, and with their blessing. This man with the withered hand was at the place to expect help, but what had he received? Nothing. Verse 3, And he [Jesus] saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. The moment the man stood forth he knew he was separating himself from the onlookers and that he would receive the same criticism they were leveling against Jesus. Verse 4, And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they [the leaders and the Pharisees] held their peace. Do you know why? The leaders in the synagogue were not interested in whether the man was delivered or not; they were interested only in one thing – exposing Jesus. Verse 5, An