Do you believe what you believe?

Do you believe what you believe? Well, do you? Okay, it sounds like a silly question, doesn't it? If you "believe" it, why wouldn't you "believe" it? Lol! This question was posed in Bible Study tonight at church. Out of one simple question came a great study. I suppose the better way to phrase it might be to ask "do you believe what you say you believe" but the phrasing of the question is an attention getter.


As Christians, we're apt to say "oh, sure, I believe that." We SAY we believe that God can do miracles but do we REALLY believe that? When the rubber meets the road, what do we do?


God promised He would supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Phillipians 4:19:


And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. (New Living Translation)

We as Christians can proclaim that verse all day long. Some people do take it to heart and can truly step out in faith and believe God will do that which they need. What happens when that unexpected bill hits? When the weather is exceptionally cold for days on end and a water pipe bursts AND we get one of the most expensive electric bills we've ever seen, what happens then? Do we worry and fret or do we trust God in faith that He has it under control?


Matthew 10:29 What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. (New Living Translation)


I've heard it said that God has never been found guilty of child neglect. While a cutesy saying, it is true. God promised to never leave us nor forsake us. He will take care of our needs. But do we believe that? Do we leave the situation in God's hands or do we sweat and fume?


We can short circuit God's blessings for our lives because of our unbelief. If we walk around all day long with our head held low and doubt that God will do what He said He would do, how can we expect His blessings?


Mark 6:5 And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their unbelief. (New Living Translation)

What a sad commentary right there. Jesus was among them, the very One who was not only willing but capable of doing mighty miracles. Because of their unbelief He was unable to perform miracles, something He generously wanted to give them. We shake our heads in disbelief at these people and think it's a terrible thing that they missed out on but.....what about us? How do we react?


When you pray, do you trust God will do what you've asked? Now I don't mean we should go asking for a million dollars or a new car but if we've asked according to His will, how do we react? Do we go away with confidence in God or do we shrug our shoulders and say "well, it was worth a try?"


We live in a microwave society where everything is at an instant. If we want a pot pie, we pop it in the microwave for 4 minutes and it's done. If I want to watch a favorite show, I no longer have to wait for a TV station to run it but I pop in a DVD or cue it up on Netflix or YouTube. We expect God to work on that schedule and He doesn't! God's timing is not our timing but we think it should be. When God delays answering our prayer, how do we react? Do we continue to trust in Him or do we decide to do our own thing? Do we quietly trust Him to do what He promised or do we start balling and squalling like a spoiled 3 year old who didn't get his/her way?


Abraham got caught in that very situation. God promised him a son in his old age. When things didn't go exactly on the timetable that Abraham and Sarah felt it should, Abraham tried his own thing instead of waiting on God. This caused distress for not only Abraham but also Ishmael and Hagar as well as Sarah. Had Abraham stayed the course and waited on the promised son a lot of heartache would have been avoided.


It's easy to pick on Abraham and point out what he did was wrong. We're all great at pointing out what went wrong after the fact, aren't we? What was Abraham thinking? How could he not trust God? Most assuredly we would have did it differently, right? We're superior to ole Abraham and would've did it differently! Oh, yeah, that's just how it is! Sure and I have ocean front property to sell you here in Steele, MO. How many of us have accepted that new job or entered into that relationship we knew wasn't "right" all because God was taking too long and we began to doubt He was going to do it? Admit it, we've all did it at one point or another in our lives.


So, do you believe what you say you believe or are you just talking the talk? Take time out with God today and see if you're walking the walk or just talking the talk. I would love to link you to a great Bill Gaither song called "I Believe It" that was on one of his early albums (back when it was The Bill Gaither Trio) but YouTube doesn't seem to have it.