HELP MY UNBELIEF

Listening to my pastor yesterday as he ministered on Mary, Martha and Lazarus from John chapter 11 my heart was pricked.  I uttered within myself, "Lord help my unbelief".  Many of us read the account of Mary, Martha and Lazarus and think it's all about the miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and rightly so, but there is more.  For me once again on yesterday, my focus was on the people's unbelief.  Let's make it plain, what is my attitude when I doubt or simply do not believe?  I have an attitude of doubting the truth of something.  My attitude is one of mistrust, skepticism, suspicion, uncertainty; denial, rejection, no faith.  Unbelief is the enemy of my faith.  When mixed together they are like oil and water, I will never get them to become one.  Let's look at John's account of unbelief.  I will use certain verses, please read the entire chapter for more clarity.

Joh 11:1  Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
Joh 11:2  (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
Joh 11:3  Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
Joh 11:4  When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
Joh 11:5  Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
Joh 11:6  When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. 

Joh 11:11  These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
Joh 11:12  Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
Joh 11:13  Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
Joh 11:14  Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. 


Jesus and his disciples went to Mary and Martha and although they both knew Him as Jesus and called Him Lord their grief interfered with their faith.  They both said to Him, "if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." There unbelief would not allow their faith to even think that Jesus' being there meant He would raise Lazarus their brother from the dead.  Not only did Mary and Martha doubt but the Jews that were with them to comfort them doubted as well. 

Looking back at John 11:4 we can see the purpose of Lazarus' death.  Jesus said that it was for the glory of God that the Son of God might be glorified.  This verse takes me to my point.  We all experience grief, hardships, challenges, disappointments and the like and we sometimes allow our situations to interfere with our faith or our belief in the promises of Jesus.  Just know that for a child of God any hardship that we face can bring God glory!  There is nothing to hard for God and every trial that comes our way is to make us strong.  When trouble comes our way instead of fainting in our hearts with doubt and unbelief we must look up and see this as a time to experience the glory of God!  God is for us and although we don't always understand what He is doing we must understand that His love never FAILS and it's for our good and His Glory!  Hallelujah! 

Put your belief to the test today.  Observe your day and every situation that comes your way.  Is your belief being challenged?  Is doubt trying to creep in? 

PRAY:  Lord, thank You for giving me the measure of faith.  When I face trouble in my life thank You for the grace to believe in Your promises.  May my heart be ever grateful and encouraged as I remember that no matter what comes my way it's for my good and Your Glory.  Whenever I begin to faint, Lord help my unbelief!   In Jesus' Name Amen.