#56 “Identifying Barrier: To Answered Prayer!”

(Doubt and Unbelief) 

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives

generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him,

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt,

Because he who doubts is like a wave of the,

sea blown and tossed by the wind.

That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;

he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”

James 1:5-8
The Message (MSG) 

As you will remember we’ve covered this topic however, it still warrants mentioning because sometimes we will be operating in doubt and unbelief and not be aware of it. How is that possible? It becomes possible when we pray and ask God to work a situation out and now sooner that you leave His presence you are speaking contrary to your prayer. “Well I prayed and asked God to fix this situation; I sure hope He’ll do it.” If you have ask God to handle something for you then there is no, “I hope He will do it” He has already promised to do it, when you ask in faith according to His will. 

Let’s take a look at doubt in action, “And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Once Peter ask the Lord to bid Him to come to Him Peter in faith stepped out of the boat, but once things started getting rough and even dangerous looking Peter started to give in to his fears and began to sink.  This is often the case with us, we believe God once He gives us the assurance He will work things out for us, but as soon as thing get worse instead of better we quickly start to doubt that He is going to bring us out. Jesus’ taken Peter by the hand said, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” WHY DID YOU DOUBT? Those are some powerful words, yet ones we should keep in mind when we’re faced with another situation that only God can solve for us.  

 

There are two examples of doubt and unbelief that we’ve read about in the New Testament.  Let’s look at the case of unbelief that is accompanied with doubt but with a longing to believe. Remember the story of the father who brought his son to the disciples to heal him, but they could not. When Jesus showed up the man said, “I brought my son to your disciples but they could not heal him” Jesus ask the man, “do you believe I can heal your son.” The man said Lord, “I believe; help thou my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24)  Because the man’s son was possessed with an evil spirit Jesus had mercy on him and healed his son.  Then there is unbelief that comes in the form of being inflexible, hard-hearted simply refusing to believe; “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” (Hebrews 3:12) this kind of unbelief will not keep you from receiving the promises of God, but it will get you in trouble with God Himself causing God’s righteous anger and swift judgment to come upon you. 

What is a good example of believing God for what we have prayed for? What if you are believing God for a car, then why not go out and purchase a specialized license plate giving God thanks for you care, to put on once you have your car. Perhaps you are believing God for a family member to get saved; then go and purchase a bible and have their name engraved on it. This is how faith works it believes even before it sees what it is believing for. This is why the scripture says, “Let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, without doubting.” (vv. 5-6) by now God’s repartition should warrant your trust and confidence, that whatever you have asked of Him He will do it.  

My Prayer: Heavenly Father we thank you for your word which never returns to you void, but accomplishes exactly what you send it to do. Thank you for giving us faith to stand on your word and believe no matter what things look like or what happens. We trust your word and we know that you are able to perform just what you have said. Just like the father in Mark 9:24 for those of us that are having trouble believing we ask you to help their unbelief and bring them into full faith in your word and promises. These things we ask in Your Son Jesus Christ’ name Amen! 

Have A Bless Day…Go in God’s Peace!  

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