An Act of Faith




Barbara Hollace Miracles are miracles because we can’t explain them. When they occur, it defies reason, logic, scientific or medical explanation. But there is no doubt that something has changed. Signs, wonders, and miracles were seen wherever Jesus went. There wasn’t a specific formula, but on several occasions, we hear Jesus say, “Your faith has made you well.” In the Old Testament, the parting of the Red Sea is an amazing miracle. The roaring waters ahead and the sound of the Egyptian chariots behind ~ neither one painted a very happy ending. But God… had a different plan. It would take an act of faith, not only on the part of the Israelites’ leadership, starting with Moses, but all the people. Exodus 14 tells the story of what God asked Moses to do… lift his rod over the water, and God, with a strong wind, parted the sea and the people walked through on dry ground. And at daybreak, the Egyptian army was overcome by the water. God was honored and glorified. Similarly, in Joshua 3, there is the story of Joshua and the people crossing the Jordan River. The priests through an act of faith had to step into the water before the river would part. Then God did, just as He promised. God is a Promise Keeper! Throughout my own health journey, the Lord has spoken promises to me. Some have been fulfilled and others are still waiting for their completion. Recently God asked me to step out in faith, similar to what we have seen in these Bible stories. I was scheduled to have an updated MRI and as the day drew closer, as many prayed on my behalf, I sought the Lord’s face. Whatever He said to do, I wanted to do. All for one purpose, that God would be honored and glorified in me. The morning of the MRI, the Holy Spirit spoke to me in my heart. It was an invitation. “I want you to do an act of faith today.” Immediately He brought me to the story of Jesus and the man with the withered hand in Mark 3. Jesus is in the synagogue and sees the man with the withered hand and asked him to come and stand in front of everyone. The man obeys. Jesus asks the question about healing on the Sabbath. The religious leaders remain silent. Jesus says to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” The man stretched out his hand and it was completely restored. Hallelujah! It took courage for that man to stand up there. Likely many were those who had ignored him, or laughed at him, or spoken unkindly because of his physical challenge. It did not stop him from standing there with Jesus. When Jesus asked him to stretch out his hand ~ the hand that was deformed and scary to some, the man did not hesitate. In faith, the man reached out his hand, and in that moment, Jesus healed him. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020. The tumor had attached itself to my pectoral chest muscle which had restricted my left arm movement. There had been signs that it was improving. Jesus’ request to me that morning was to reach out my left arm during the MRI… a test that takes about 25 minutes lying face down with your arms extended. It would be the first MRI where I had extended my left arm because previously it wouldn’t bend that far. The Lord said, “This is your Red Sea moment. As you step out in faith, as you reach out, watch what I’m going to do.” And that’s what I did. He gave me the grace to extend my left arm for the duration of the test. This action would produce the best imaging because my doctors needed to see the miracle God was doing. The results were miraculous indeed! What once was a large tumor is now the size of a “pea” (just as He promised.) As I read the results, words of praise were mingled with tears of gratitude. He is Jehovah Rapha, my healer. God is, and always will be, the God of miracles. What act of faith is God asking you to take? You may not need a physical healing. It could be an emotional or mental need, or restoration of a relationship, or forgiving someone, or releasing the anger and bitterness in your heart. Jesus’ heart is moved by your need today. I’m praying that right now you choose to take a step of faith into the water, or reach out your hand and ask another to walk with you, or use your voice to ask for help because you can’t do it on your own. Just one act of faith sets miracles in motion. While I wait for the completion of my healing miracle, please join me in singing praises to the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He alone is worthy of our praise.