Galatians 3.5,6 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he this by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
Did you know that there is a vast difference between believing in God and believing God? Believing in God only means that I am not a fool. But just because I may claim to believe in God, that does not mean that I believe Him in a trusting, saving way. In John 7, we read the account of Jesus’ dialogue with His earthly brothers. They obviously believed in His personhood. They “knew” His Name. But when they challenged Him to go up to the Feast of Tabernacles and perform some miracles to “prove” Who He was, we read, “for neither did his brethren believe in Him.” They did not believe in Him.
Do you see the difference between believing in God in your head, and believing God in your heart? One is factual, the other is transformational. James tells us, “thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and tremble.” What! The devils believe, and they tremble. See the difference? Beloved, it is possible to have a bookworm, head knowledge of the bible, say that you believe it is true, and yet not believe it. Believing in God is a verb. Believing in God will cause you to build arks, walk on water, walk around Jericho. You get the idea.
Dear ones, do you believe in The God of the Bible? Do you believe that He still does miracles amongst His people? Or did He close the book on miracles once the ink of Scripture was dried? When the disciple were astounded at the sight of the cursed fig tree, Jesus said to them, have faith in God. Wait a minute. Would Jesus have chosen men to be His disciple that did not believe in God? Absolutely not! But though they had a true belief in God, in this instance, they (like you and me), did not believe God.
To believe God means that we believe that He is Who He says He is, and that He says and means what He says and means. He is not the Great I used to be. The Great God Who used to draw water from rocks or used to heal the sick, or used to provide all of our need according to His riches in glory. The Lord Jehovah forever is The Sovereign, Almighty, Living God, in Whom we live and move and have our being. Believe Him today!
Do not resign yourself to a cold theology that has no life; explains away or “dispensationalizes” miracles. Surrender your total being to our God and Savior Jesus Christ Who said that He came to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.
Having spent four months with atheists and Catholics, I could relate to this morning’s devotional. My atheist family does NOT believe in God, while my Catholic acquaintances believe IN God but when it comes down to it they do NOT believe God. What are clear markers? Constant worry, putting all worries on their shoulders, emphasis on their problem solving and not God’s. Lots of cliches about their faith but failure to TRUST GOD, BELIEVE GOD. As Christians, We must seek Him first. Certainly, the temptation to worry and to put all burdens on myself is there. I am a sinner. But I catch myself during these times of weakness and reach for the Word, prayer, and allow the Holy Spirit to work within me. Then, as hard as it may be, I let go and believe God. Not because I am good or wise, but because HE IS. God bless Pastor Ray. Miss you all.
Thanks for your insights here brother Jose. We miss you too brother!!