June 7, 2022

Unbelief

And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. Mark 6:6

Nothing stops the power of God in a life faster than unbelief.  Unbelief is nothing more than doubt and fear.  When you doubt something is true and question its authenticity or are afraid that something is too good to be true or even might not be, you are in unbelief.

In today’s reading, the passage says that Jesus could do no mighty work in His hometown.  I used to believe it was because there was no work to be done there.  That His hometown did not have a need for Jesus’ miracles.  That was just not the case.  Everyone needs Jesus in their life, its the reason He came in the first place. The scripture goes on to say in the very next verse that it was because the people did not believe Him because they thought they already knew who He was.  In verse 3 the passage says the people of His hometown were offended.

Offense is the root cause of unbelief, so it is the one thing that can hold back the power of God in our lives today.  Offense becomes an instant barrier in our connection with God.  When we are offended, it begins to take over our thoughts and our heart.  It essentially tries to step into first place in our lives.  We become preoccupied with the ideas of: how could this happen and why did this happen?  Even thoughts like: that is not right and I don’t deserve this.  We begin to think: I would have done it different, and someone else should make this right.

Even now as I am writing this, I realize that I have recently been offended.  I didn’t even realize it was happening, but I became preoccupied with a situation and mostly I was offended because I could not know the circumstances surrounding it.  It was a confidentiality issue that I felt should have been given an explanation, but there was none to be found.  It festered in me for a while, but ultimately, I recognized that I need to do what’s right and not focus on what I feel others are doing wrong.

In that offense, I was beginning to talk to others about the situation instead of talking to God and that was only feeding the offense.  That attitude was starting to come between me and my Lord.  It was trying to take over my life and I sincerely felt that I was right, and I should have answers.

Thankfully, the Lord is so gracious and showed me where I was getting off track.  He pulled me back in close to Him, but I had to turn away and let go of the offense.  It was cutting off the power that God wanted to pour through my life onto others.

Today I want to encourage you to check your heart for unbelief.  Don’t assume there isn’t any there, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any offense or unbelief in your life.  When He does, quickly repent and lay that down.  Don’t let that anger and resentment come between you and you loving heavenly Father.  Decide today that you will let offense go and ask Him to help you get rid of all unbelief in your life.  Soon you will see the power of God flowing in all areas of your life again.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 6:1-6

1 Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. 

2 And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! 

3 Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.

4 But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” 

5 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 

6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.