To Encourage You

Hebrews 11:6 “Whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

Do you really believe that God exists?  I mean really.  Is the idea of God a wispy notion, a “pie in the sky” sort of thing to you, or do you see Him as a fact, just as real as the chair you are sitting on, or the people who live in your house?

You see, unbelief is an insidious thing. A person can say they believe in God, for they would never, like an atheist, say “there is no God” in so many words. Yet, at the same time they can think and act like He doesn’t exist. Every time we fret or are afraid about anything, aren’t we really demonstrating our doubt in the factual presence of God?  How could we ever fear anything, if we really believed that the God Who Created the universe is truly “at hand” (Philippians 4:5) and that He is as He said He is?  Do we really believe that God is as powerful as He says He is?  Is He as wise, as aware, as in control, as kind, and as loving as He has told us He is?  How can we be anxious if we really believe that “if God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31)?  If we really and truly believe that the One Whose coming we celebrate each Christmas is “with us,” for that’s what the name “Immanuel” means, how can we be tossed to and fro by the circumstances of life? 

Well, if we are honest, we could likely all say with the man who came to Jesus on behalf of his demon-possessed son, “Lord I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). Yet the God Who made us is so patient with us.  Although we should believe everything He has told us about Himself, for He is more real than anything else that exists (for all things that exist were created by Him), He patiently works in our lives to strengthen our weak faith.  He brings trials into our lives, things He allows for the purpose of giving us courage to replace our natural fears, a courage that is always rooted in the fact that He is there, and He is real.  He wants us to live in peace and joy regardless of our circumstances, “for he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14).  Nevertheless, He is faithfully working in our lives to strengthen our frame, to place us on a foundation that holds in the face of the storm rather than crumbles like a house built on a foundation of sand (Matthew 7:24-27). 

So, how is your faith? As the admonition from Hebrews above tells us, do you really believe that He exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him?  The truth will be known in our response to our circumstances, for that’s where what’s in our heart of hearts is revealed.  If our faith wavers (and believe me, mine does), may God help us to look to Him again with the plea that He help our unbelief. But when we ask for this, we should know that it is often in the storms of life that He is working to do just that.