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Paul says that "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Think of faith as the modeling clay (the substance) from which God builds miracles. If you need healing in your marriage, faith is the substance from which God will rebuild your marriage. If you need physical healing, a new car, a roof over your head, your debts paid off, a believing spouse, whatever you need, God will build the answer to your prayer from your faith. Your faith is the literal substance from which God constructs your miracle. If it's not there, nothing gets built.

In John chapter 9 there is an account of a man who was born blind whom Jesus healed in an unusual way. Normally Jesus healed people with a word or a touch but in this man's case He spit on the ground, made clay from the spittle and put the clay on the man's eyes. He then told the man to go wash himself in a pool and he would see. While this account is rich with symbolism about spiritual blindness and even baptism there is a message about faith here as well.

Think of the clay that Jesus used as a symbol for faith – the substance of the miracle. This clay or working faith was comprised of the dust of the ground and water from Jesus' mouth. The dust of the ground represents our faith – our part of the formula. The spit represents the living waters that Jesus provides – His enabling grace that empowers our faith. While our faith is necessary and critical, it alone won't "stick" to the problems or challenges of our lives. It won't heal spiritual or physical blindness. It alone won't heal broken lives, homes or bodies. But together with Christ's living water miracles occur.

Also notice that Jesus applied the clay to the man's eyes for him. He didn't hand it to the blind man and tell him to put it on his own eyes. Jesus is the Master Healer. He takes the mixture of our faith and His power, applies it to broken lives, hearts, dreams and relationships and heals them. Of course, the blind man was a willing participant in this. He allowed Jesus to heal Him. He exercised his faith to walk to the pool and wash the clay from his eyes. He put forth some effort. As James 2:20 says, "faith without works is dead."

I have a feeling that after Jesus healed this man in such an unconventional way that His disciples queried him later, "Lord, why did you use clay to heal this man's blindness? We've never seen you do that before." Jesus may have said something like, "Just as the clay was applied to this man that he might see, so faith and the power of God combined heals anything that is broken. Grace-enabled faith is the substance of things hoped for - the evidence of things not seen. The things which are impossible with men are possible with God" (Luke 18:27).

About Marnie Pehrson
Marnie L. Pehrson is a wife, mother of 6, founder of SheLovesGod.com, and author of both inspirational Christian titles such as You Can't Fly If You're Still Clutching the Dirt: How to Stop Worrying and Achieve Your God-given Potential and historical fiction novels like "The Patriot Wore Petticoats". Be sure to download her free ebook Nothing Is Impossible for Those Who Believe. You may read excerpts and samples of her books and ebooks at www.MarniePehrson.com. She also frequently adds to her gratitude column here.

The author may be contacted at http://www.MarniePehrson.com webmaster@shelovesgod.com.

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