October 30, 2009 Result of Belief
Today’s Bible Reading: Job 21; Mark 5, 6
Scripture Focus:
Mark 5:34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
Mark 5:36 “Do not be afraid; only believe.”
Mark 6:5–6 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief.
Mark 6:27 Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison.
Mark 6:50 “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
Mark 6:56 Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.
Observation:
Today I’ve listed a series of amazing events involving Jesus. Mostly the stories have happy endings, but they all involved faith in Jesus—belief. I don’t claim to understand how belief works, but I know that it’s a necessary ingredient to seeing and receiving great things from God.
It seems to me, though, that belief is not wishing. It’s faith in a person who really does have the power to grant my desire.
Sometimes belief lands you in a hot spot—like John the Baptist. He languished in prison and then was beheaded. We never know where our belief might ultimately take us, and we have to be willing to entertain the possibility of suffering or death, but most of the time belief enables us to do great things or accept great things—such as healing—from God.
Application:
Jesus says to me today, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” Will I believe in his power to perform what I need in my life today, or will He marvel because of my unbelief?
Prayer:
Father God, I choose to believe in you today to be my complete and adequate source of life and power to fulfill the mission you’ve given me.
Scripture Focus:
Mark 5:36 “Do not be afraid; only believe.”
Mark 6:5–6 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief.
Mark 6:27 Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison.
Mark 6:50 “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
Mark 6:56 Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.
