And [Jesus] did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. – Matthew 13:58
We serve a mighty God. A God who still performs miracles in this world.
But do we believe it?
God has been inundating my world with one message, lately––BELIEVE ME!
Not believe in Me, but believe Me.
What would happen if we were to believe God more? It seems many Christians today––myself, at times, numbered among them––merely believe in God and fail to believe God. And there is quite a difference there. Believing in God means we simply believe God is who He says He is. It’s believing in Jesus, the One sent by God the Father to die for our sins. But is that enough? Possibly. It may be enough to obtain salvation. But maybe not, for we’re told, “Even the demons believe—and shudder!” (James 2:19). So, maybe it’s not enough.
But here’s the thing, though. Whether or not it is enough to simply believe in God, is not the question I’d ultimately like to pose here. Because you see, I don’t want to live my life with just enough belief. [Tweet that] No. Just enough belief won’t allow any one of us to experience true freedom in this life. Enough faith will not allow us to bathe in God’s ever-flowing fount of grace. Enough faith will not allow us to bask in God’s brilliant, glorious light. And enough faith, certainly, won’t allow us to live the life Jesus died for us to have. Nor will it allow us to ever see any of the wonders God eagerly awaits to perform in our lives.
I believe one of Satan’s greatest and most effective tactics is to successfully stop us at mere belief in God, for when we stop there, our lives become ineffectiveness and unfruitful. But we need to take that extra step and truly BELIEVE GOD. We need to believe God is who He says He is––YES!––but we also need to believe God at His Word. We need to believe that God still moves on our behalf. That He still performs the miraculous. [Tweet that]
I’ve seen mighty works done in my own life, so I can attest to the presence of miracles today. But I’m convinced we don’t see more wonders these days because we seems to be living in a generation characterized more by “rational thinking” and less by faith. We are told Jesus refused to do might works in some places because of their unbelief. Let us not be counted among the unbelievers!
For, God’s Word tells us the true account of a mighty God.
A God who knows and loves each of us––personally, intimately––as a father loves his own child.
A God who stands ready to give favor to anyone daring enough to believe He will do so.
A God who enters into our circumstance and, though His sovereignty, works all things for our good and His glory.
A God who heals––spiritually, emotionally, physically.
A God who protects, sending His mighty warriors as our guardians.
A God who provides for our every need.
A God who accomplishes the impossible.
And so much more!
This is the God we serve! This is the God we must BELIEVE.
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). The same God who created all things, parted the Red Sea, closed the mouths of lions, exercised demons, raised the dead, opened the eyes of the blind, and healed the multitudes is the same God we serve today. Let us believe it! And let us believe Him!
Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith, so let us cry out to Him today as the apostles once did, saying Lord, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5)
What are you believing God for? Share in the comments.
I’m believing alongside you, Paula!
I am believing that God will eventually bring my daughter back into the fold. At this point in her life she is a blatant unbeliever. She is searching, the way many young people search: through partying, drugs, alcohol, living as a hippie. She was Buddist, now she is Agnostic. I know, because my God reminds me daily in scripture, that she is in His hands. He has a perfect plan, which will be finished in His timing (not mine!). It is not easy to watch her make mistake after mistake, but God uses everything for his glory. I look forward to the day of her return.