2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Numbers 16:41-18:32 ESV, Mark 16:1-20 ESV, Psalm 55:1-23 ESV, Proverbs 11:7 ESV
Daily Verse: “Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.” (Mark 16:14 ESV)
APISTIA (570): “Faithlessness, i.e. (neg.) disbelief (want of Chr. Faith), or (pos.) unfaithfulness (disobedience).”[I]
Unbelief hardens hearts.
In my fifties, I’m beginning to understand more things in life; hindsight provides a 20/20 vision. The condition of our heart determines outward actions. Because the disciples didn’t believe the reports of Jesus’ resurrection, their hearts became hard. Only when Jesus appeared to them did they believe.
Honestly, I don’t blame the disciples for their unbelief. I can’t imagine the overwhelming emotions they experienced walking with Jesus to His death. Humanity limits our perspective. Often, we can’t see past our circumstances, missing God’s handiwork as a result.
Impossible doesn’t exist.
Not only do I write devotionals, but I read them as well; Rick Warren’s Daily Hope[i] a staple for years. Recently, Rick made a surprising revelation; he cut “impossible” out of his dictionary:
“I decided that if it’s not in God’s dictionary, it’s not going to be in mine.” Rick Warren[ii]
God can do anything He wants, but God doesn’t always do what we want. Our struggle lies in reconciling God’s sovereignty with human desire. From our perspective, we think we know the solution, but God’s the one with the correct answers.
Belief means cutting impossible out of your dictionary. Trusting God despite the world’s pain challenges us all, but we must. If we don’t have faith, we’ll never experience miracles. Hardened hearts don’t believe; soft ones do.
Ask God to soften your heart today, filling you with belief. Experience the miracle of life as you walk through your day. Impossible doesn’t exist with God.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 34) Thomas Nelson
[i] https://pastorrick.com/devotional/
[ii] https://pastorrick.com/count-on-god-to-do-the-impossible/
