The Foolishness of Unbelief

Sometimes, our request for another sign from God is a mask for unbelief. Keep Reading...

Pray
Dear Jesus, I will listen to you and obey what You tell me through Your Word. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Read
Exodus 4:1-5 - Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?”

Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”

“A staff,” he replied.

The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.”
Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. Then the Lord said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. “This,” said the Lord, “is so that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers–the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob–has appeared to you.”

Reflect
Before the Egyptians had to deal with their unbelief in the God of Israel, Moses had to deal with his own unbelief. Before we preach the Gospel to an unbelieving world, we need to deal with the unbelief in our own hearts.

These were early moments in Moses’ relationship with God. And apparently, he wasn’t too confident that God was able to do what he had promised. Moses kept going back to God with statements of unbelief… “Who am I? What if…? I can’t speak well….”

With each statement of unbelief, God patiently proved to Moses his trustworthiness. God did not need to prove to Moses his power again and again. Yet he persevered with his appointed leader. Think about this - would you argue with a burning bush? Would you still not believe if your staff turned into a snake, or your hand turned leprous and then clean again?

Yes, we can act just like Moses at times. We want just one more proof that God will be faithful to us. We easily forget all of his promises and answers to prayer. Unbelief is sheer foolishness.

We should never put God to the test. Do not use Gideon and his testing of God with fleeces as your model. Judges 6:36-37 That practice followed divination practices of the local culture. Instead, God would desire that we trust him like children. Simply listen and obey.

Apply
Is there an area of your life that you hold back from God, choosing not to trust? Perhaps it involves family relationships, finances, a leadership position or a responsibility he has called you to. If there is unbelief residing within you, repent and call our for God’s mercy. Choose to walk forward with faith in your reliable and powerful God.

Read More
Psalm 131
Hebrews 3:12