Faith That Brings An Umbrella

It had not rained for many months. The grass was burned and scorched. Leaves hung slack on the trees, drooping like listless flags in a still wind. Streams and creeks looked like muddy roadways littered with rocks and twigs.

Our church had prayed Sunday after Sunday, meeting after meeting, asking God to open the skies and provide much needed water. Every conversation seemed to be about rain, comparing that season to others, recalling past dry spells, wondering how much worse it would become.

One Sunday, as the church service was coming to a close, our pastor made an announcement: the following Sunday would be a special time of worship. We would focus our attention on rain, read from the Bible what God says about rain, and sing songs about rain. We would praise God for His promises, protection, and provision. Then we would all bend our knees, bow our heads, and ask God for rain.

Our pastor was highly regarded, not only in our church, but within the entire community. His next proclamation sent a shock through the crowd. “Everyone bring an umbrella with you next week. We’re going to pray that we will leave church in a pouring rain.”

Was he serious? Did he intend for us to pray that rain would start to fall … while we were praying? I don’t remember anyone questioning what our pastor said, but there was more than a little apprehension. Not necessarily skepticism, but not exactly overwhelming faith either.

As it turned out, rain came during the week. I’m not sure when it started, but several days of strong storms ended the drought. Perhaps God had answered our prayers after all, just more slowly than we wanted. (But that’s a discussion for another time.)

What if?

I’ve often looked back and wondered how many umbrellas would have made it to church that Sunday if it had not rained. Or the real question: Would I have brought my umbrella?

Not just so I could say, “Here, look at me. Check out my faith. I have my umbrella.”

And not as a bargaining chip to show God, “Look at our faith. Won’t we all look foolish if it doesn’t rain? The world is watching, God. Make it rain so everyone will believe in You.”

Or worse still, “Here I am with my umbrella. My faith made it rain.”

No, my question is, Would I have brought my umbrella because I truly had faith that God would answer our prayer and give us rain? Not because of the atmospheric conditions. Not because masses of warm air and cold air were colliding. Not because of the updraft speed in the clouds. But that God, by a miracle of grace and love, would give us rain.

I believed He could do it. But did I believe He would do it? Would I have my umbrella just in case God answered our prayer? Or would I bring my umbrella because I believed God was going to answer our prayer?

Faithfulness We See in the Bible

Do we find faith like that in the Bible? Are there stories of God miraculously answering prayers? I immediately think of two examples, one of them also involved rain. Noah expected rain. He didn’t just bring an umbrella; he built an ark. Noah must have looked foolish to his friends and neighbors. Not a cloud in the sky yet he was building a huge boat to survive the coming flood. What kind of flood would require a boat anyway? And when Noah started herding animals inside, the scoffing and sneering must have been heard for miles around.

Later in Genesis, we read about Abraham, at seventy-five years old, leaving his home and most of his family, traveling to a distant land that God was promising to his descendants. There are no signs of hesitation from Abraham as he embarks on the journey (Genesis 12).

Scripture commends the faith of Noah and Abraham. Both immediately did what God asked, obeying God’s command. They had faith to listen to God and trust He would do what He said. But what about faith that God will listen to us? If I ask God for something will He hear me? Will He answer me? Will He grant my request? Can we find faith like that in the Bible?

Faith That Jesus Noticed

Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem with His disciples. He was warning them about what was going to happen as He predicted His own death and resurrection. The disciples, not understanding what He told them, began to argue about which of them was greatest, trying to stake a claim to the highest position in God’s kingdom.

As they entered Jericho, a large crowd was gathered at the edge of the city. A blind man named Bartimaeus was sitting by the roadside begging. Bartimaeus had probably been in that same spot day after day for many years. A friend took him there every morning and left him sitting alone, crying out for food and money as people passed in and out of the city.

Bartimaeus would have heard stories about Jesus. He heard about Jesus feeding five thousand men, plus women and children, with just a few pieces of bread and a couple of fish. He heard that Jesus brought a young boy from Nain back to life. Jesus had healed lepers. A man who had never walked in his life had suddenly leapt up and ran. And Jesus had restored eyesight to those who could not see.

Bartimaeus shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.”

 Someone in the crowd looked at Bartimaeus with disgust. “Shut up! Stop yelling.”

The crowd pushed in closer, everyone trying to get a better view.

Bartimaeus continued to cry out as another voice demanded that he stop shouting. But Bartimaeus could only think of stories about the great healer, the miracle worker, Jesus of Nazareth.

Over the roar of the crowd the blind beggar’s voice rang out. “Son of David, have mercy on me.”

Jesus stopped. The clamoring crowd stood still. Eyes skittered, necks stretched, heads shifted as everyone tried to see what was happening.

Jesus stood alone in a ring formed by the mob. “Call him.”

Attitudes toward Bartimaeus suddenly changed. Instead of telling him to shut up, they said, “Cheer up.” It was as if the crowd knew what was going to happen.

Bartimaeus threw aside his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

Wasn’t that obvious? Doesn’t God know our every need even before we ask (Matthew 6:8)? God sees all and knows all (Proverbs 5:21). So why do we have to ask Him for what we want? God knows when we need rain. He knows when we’re sick or depressed or hungry. He knows if we’ve been abused. He knows if your spouse left your side. He knows if your loved one died. He knows if your child isn’t saved. But He wants you to trust Him, to open your heart to Him.

“What do you want me to do for you?”

Bartimaeus stammered, “I … I want to see.”

“Go, your faith has healed you.”

Bartimaeus immediately received his sight.

But listen again to what Jesus told him: “Your faith has healed you.” How did Jesus know Bartimaeus had faith?

Was it because Bartimaeus kept shouting out, even when the crowd tried to silence him? I don’t think so. Being persistent makes you stubborn and tough, but not necessarily faithful.

Bartimaeus did ask to see, but asking for something doesn’t mean you will get it. Every year at Christmas my children make a wish-list. My youngest daughter put “Apple Watch” on her list year after year, even though she told me she didn’t believe she would get it. She knew I had the ability to get it for her, but she didn’t think I would. Eventually, last year, I did get her an Apple Watch. But in the same way, knowing that Jesus could restore eyesight did not guarantee a miracle for Bartimaeus.

Faith That Let Go

Look back at the story. When Bartimaeus jumped up and went to Jesus what happened? He left his cloak. Don’t miss that. Take a moment to consider the risk. Bartimaeus was blind. He left his cloak laying there on the roadside. How was he going to come back and find it? He couldn’t. Unless … unless he could see.

He wasn’t worried about his cloak. He didn’t have to safeguard his possessions. He knew he could come back and get his cloak because he knew he would be able to see.

He let go. His faith healed him.

Jesus is asking, “What do you want me to do for you?”

Is there something you need to let go of? Or something you need to take with you?

Do you have faith that brings an umbrella?

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