THE HINDERING EFFECT OF UNBELIEF!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY AUGUST 24, 2020.

SUBJECT: THE HINDERING EFFECT UNBELIEF!

Memory verse: "Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” (Matthew 13 vs 58.)

READ: Hebrews 4 vs 2 - 3: 

4:2: For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.

4:3: For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath,‘ They shall not enter My rest,’ although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 

INTIMATION:

The most common hindrance to receiving God’s blessings is unbelief. The unbelievers are guilty of not believing that God will do what He says He will do. They hardly confess in faith what God says, and that He will do what He has promised He will do. If you continue to confess positively, your spirit will be influenced by that confession. 

Unbelief is the root cause of why God's Word bless some people and not bless others. In the passage we read today, the Scripture says that, when people hear God's Word but do not believe it, then the word preached will profit them nothing. This is because it’s not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Unbelief blinds people to the truth and robs them of hope. 

So many Christians turn back from their promised rest in Christ because of the difficulties of the present moments which overshadow the reality of God’s promise, and their doubts that God will fulfill His promises. Consequently, they try doing things on their efforts. When we trust on our efforts instead of Christ’s power, we are in danger of turning back. Our own efforts are never adequate; only Christ can see us through.

Faith or belief is the first sure step to receiving from God. Not believing in God leads to disobedience. And disobedience is regarded as rebellion and stubbornness against God, tantamount to witchcraft that is regarded as the most serious sin of all because, as long as a person rebels, he or she closes the door of forgiveness and restoration with God. (First Samuel 15 vs 23.) Our memory verse notes that Jesus felt that it was of little use to do the miraculous works of the Father in His home town because of the unbelief of His people. If He had, they would as well ask Him to leave, just as the Gaderenes did, for they did not at that time understand who He really was (Luke 8 vs 37). 

The miracles were used to confirm the spoken word of God (Mark 16 vs 20; Hebrews 2 vs 3 - 4)). However, where there was no searching for truth in the hearts of men, there is no need to uselessly confirm the spoken word. By leaving the area because of their unbelief, Jesus was emphasizing that believing in His teaching was more important than working miracles. However, miracles are not a guarantee that one will accept the word of God. Take for instance, Israel as a nation experienced the wonders of God when she was delivered from Egyptian captivity. However, when at Sinai, the Israelites rebelled against God. 

It’s in believing that the glory of God is made manifest to us. Our faith triggers the grace—power of God to help us in our times if need. Jesus said to Martha at the tomb of Lazarus; “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” (John 6 vs 40.) God’s glory is the backing of His Word. Not believing God and His Words is regarded as disobedience (Hebrews 4 vs 6). Many Christians know a great deal about Christ, but they do not know Him personally—they don’t combine their knowledge with faith. The Good News about Christ they hear benefits them nothing in their lives because it’s not mixed with faith. Believe in Him and then act on what you know. Trust in Christ and do what He says.

Jesus said that “all things are possible to him who believes,” because He who promised is faithful and will do it. With faith in Him, we can have everything we need to serve Him. Jesus said, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.” (Mark 11 23 - 24.)

Prayer: Abba Father, my trust is in You. Endue me with the spirit of trust and believe in You in all things, that I may enter Your rest, and have all things possible to me, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!