"And the fig tree fails..."

Dear God,

While reading in the book of Joel, I found myself analyzing the passages for some connection, to make sense of its words, I suppose.

And then I got distracted.  This happens frequently and often births the most profound things to come from my fingertips as I type.  (Now, to say something is profound from me is nothing of a revelation for the nation, but a simple bit of knowledge or an "aha" moment to contemplate upon.  Thank you for those.)

One line spoke softly to me so as to get my attention.  It said, "And the fig tree fails," and instantly my mind went to my personal devotions.  It was a line we had shared just this morning while the sun was still rising.

Earlier this morning, when reading in Matthew, the author tells of Jesus being hungry and so walking up to a fig tree to retrieve one of its fruit.  But when he found it to have bore no fruit, he reprommanded the tree and told it, " 'May you never bear fruit again!"  And it withered away.  IT DIED! in a matter of seconds, because it disappointed Jesus.  And that's not even a point Jesus was trying to make.

His disciples, I can imagine, were standing there with their jaws to the ground.  The Bible gives something of their reactions, but I can just imagine it playing out in modern times like this.  "Yo, Jesus, that tree just DIED just now.  Like I've seen a few trees in my life, and NEVER  have I watched one die!  Like, how?"

And then Your awesome Son nonchalantly offers "[Ya know,] if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.  If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:18-22

So, basically, every now and again, if Jesus asks in prayer, that mountain over there will just go jump in the ocean.  Wow!  What faith!

God, please, teach me to have just a tenth of the faith of Your son.  I am so impressed by His faith in You, and I desire to put all my trust in You in the same fashion.

Your humble servant,
Zac Smith