There have been times where I felt strong in my faith and ready to move forward in a task God had called me too, only to allow others to discourage me. Maybe they weren’t deliberately trying to discourage me but a word they said or an action they took caused me to doubt, hold back, question myself, or even quit. There have been times I wanted to make a request to God only to doubt his care and concern, or even his power to answer. I could hear the enemy telling me to stay silent. 

In three of the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, we meet a man named Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus was a blind beggar hanging around the town of Jericho. He heard that Jesus Christ was coming by and he began to call out to Jesus. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” You see, by faith, Bartimaeus knew Jesus Christ was the Messiah and able to heal his blindness. Now, you would think his friends or townspeople would encourage his leap of faith to call out to Jesus. But they didn’t. In fact, when he called out, the people around him yelled at him to “Be quiet!” But Bartimaeus was undaunted and Mark 10:48 tells us he just shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

He just shouted louder. He refused to let the people hold him back. He refused to allow the opportunity to reach Jesus to escape him. He refused to give up. He refused to quit. He knew where to find mercy and he pursued Jesus simply refusing to let anyone stop him. Bartimaeus had faith and he put his faith into action. And his faith was persistent, allowing no one to discourage it.

Jesus heard Bartimaeus and called him to himself. Determined to reach Jesus, Bartimaeus removed his coat so nothing could trip him up. Nothing would hinder him. Jesus asked him what he wanted Jesus to do for him and Bartimaeus replied simply and plainly, “I want to see.”  Jesus answered his request, gave him his sight, telling Bartimaeus that “your faith has healed you”.

Where have you allowed someone to discourage your faith? Where have you let someone hinder you from pursuing Jesus? Where do you need to “shout louder”.  Where do you need Jesus’ mercy?  What “blindness” do you need healing from? Addiction? A broken relationship? Disease? Bitterness? Anger? Put your faith into action. Acknowledge who Jesus is. Humbly admit your need for his mercy. Seize the opportunity to approach the ONE who hears you and heals you. Shout louder!

© 2019 Robin R King

“Shout Louder – Faith In Action” is one of the speaking topics I would love to share at your next women’s event! If you think this message in full or one of my others would minister to the ladies at your event, I would love to hear from you. To find out more, go to my Speaking page. 

Mark 10:46-52 New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus

⁴⁶ Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. ⁴⁷ When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁸ “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.

But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁹ When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”

So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” ⁵⁰ Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

⁵¹ “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.

“My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!”

⁵² And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Faith in Action

11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)

⁷ For we walk by faith, not by sight.