To receive anything from God, we need to know five things. Come with me on a journey back in time to discover what those five things are. Our setting is a synagogue. Our key players are a man who has a withered hand and Jesus. Let’s begin in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 3.
Mark 3:1:
And he [Jesus] entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.
Here’s our man, and he has a clear need—his hand needs healing. He is in the right place to get his need met, near Jesus, who was anointed by God to heal and bring deliverance to those in need.
Verse 2:
And they [the Pharisees] watched him [Jesus], whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.
So Jesus and the man with the withered hand aren’t the only people in the synagogue. The Pharisees are there, watching the situation, not because they care about the man, but because they are looking for a reason to accuse Jesus.
Verse 3:
And he [Jesus] saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.
Jesus draws his attention to the man with the need. In that moment, the man has a decision to make. Standing forth would mean separating himself from the onlookers and potentially facing the same criticism that was being leveled against Jesus. Instead of shrinking back, the man chooses to stand forth.
Verses 4,5:
And he [Jesus] saith unto them [the Pharisees], Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.
And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
Jesus addresses the religious leaders, then focuses on the man and gives him clear direction with four powerful words: Stretch forth thine hand. What happens next? The man stretches it out and deliverance takes place. His hand is completely restored!
Now, let’s keep that journey in mind while we go over the five things we need to know to receive anything from God.
- We must know what is available.
In order to receive anything from God, we’ve got to know what’s available. In this situation, what was available to the man was the healing of his hand. - We must know how to receive it.
The man received by believing and acting on the direction he was given. When Jesus said, “Stretch forth thine hand,” the man responded. His action showed what he believed. He didn’t hesitate or draw back. He acted. - We must know what to do with it after we receive it.
The man’s hand was restored whole as the other. With that restoration came the ability to use it. Deliverance enables us to live differently than before. What was once limited or restricted is now made whole or free. - Our needs and wants must be parallel.
The man needed healing, and his actions showed that he wanted it. When he chose to stretch out his hand, he demonstrated that he was willing to act in line with that desire, despite the potential pressure around him. - We must know that God’s ability always equals God’s willingness.
The very instant the man believed, God’s ability went into action and this miracle of healing occurred. God’s will is that His people prosper and be in health (III John 2).
If we want to tap the resources for the more abundant life, we have to go to the Word to find out what is available, how to receive it, and what to do with it after we have it. We are going to keep our needs and our wants in balance, recognizing that God is not only able but also willing to perform what He has made available.
At times, like the man in this account, we may have to stand against potential pressures or intimidation to receive what God has for us. But when we choose to act on what God has made available, we open the door to deliverance in our lives.