Fig Tree Discourse part 2: It’s Working

And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. Mark 11:14

After Jesus answered this fig tree, it is vital for the scriptures to note that the disciples heard what Jesus spoke. The account recorded in Matthew adds this phrase: “…and presently the fig tree withered away” (Matt 21:19). The word “presently” is key and potentially could cause confusion.

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“Presently” is translated as immediately, forthwith, or instantly. Some commentaries even compare the Greek word used here with our phrase “on the spot”. Now look at the very next verse in Matthew’s account:
                                                                     
 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! –  Matthew 21:20

One could suppose from this that immediately after Jesus spoke to the tree, the disciples stood there and watched this huge tree just shrivel up… but this is not this case. We thank the Father for the unity of scripture which gives us balance with this:

And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. - Mark 11:20

So it was not until the morning that they actually saw this. So then how can something happen immediately but not seen until later? THIS is the faith life of a believer! Every time we pray, regardless of what we see, it is for us to believe inside and speak outside: “It’s working!” Immediate spiritual power is changing and moving natural things. We need to know that God’s word of power is working in us immediately. It is working for us instantly. For example:

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Think about it, one can be instantly new yet with the same old hang-ups. One can be immediately new yet with the same old problems. How can this be? Hang in there… it’s working! I admit dear reader, it would be sooo much easier if every time we pray “ba-da-boom”: issues resolved, answers given, bodies healed, finances appearing. Yet this would not necessarily mean growth! We are to walk by faith and not by sight. We really want spirit led hearts to hear and to do the will of the Father and let increase follow after. Well this comes by continually seeking the Father, “staying in faith”, patiently enduring, resisting Satan, walking out our victory and not changing our testimony. NO, this is not always easy. But the thing to keep in heart (not just mind) is that whenever we pray, whatever we say, we must know and continually declare that it’s working. It’s working. It’s working.

Precious Almighty Father, we are thankful that you have not only made us new, but that You continue to make us new that we may be the new that we already are. You are awesome like that. You know us so intimately and yet you mature us so tenderly. Your patience and mercy for us is beyond comprehension. It’s kinda like You just believe that one day, through all of this, that we are just going to eventually “get it” and stop doubting Your love and commitment to us. And if You, who made us and knows us so well, has the faith that we will do right and overcome the obstacles of our lives, then the least that we can do is to believe you and receive Your love and power to carry it out. Thank You for Your Son. Thank You for Your word. Thank You for the confidence to know beyond what we see that “it’s working… It’s working... It’s working”. In the name of Yahshua (Jesus) we pray.

In the name of Yahshua (Jesus), the word is working in me. Those things that I believe when I pray, I shall receive. I am a believer. I am not a doubter. I believe that I receive wisdom that God has made available for me and it shall be seen. It’s working. I believe that I receive insights beyond my understanding or comprehension and it shall be seen. It’s working. I believe I receive fullness of health for my mind and body and it shall be seen. It’s working. I believe that I receive deliverance from every sinful, addictive, or destructive behavioral pattern in my life. You will cease to trouble me ever again. It’s working. Every need in my life shall be met in an abundant fashion. It’s working. I am committed to love, forgiveness and an unshakable confidence in my God to speak out against all wrong as He leads. It’s working. It’s working. It’s working. It’s working.


Mark 8:23-25; 2 Corinthians 5:7; James 1:4