December 30th
Help My Unbelief
I just heard on television that the percentage of people in USA who believe in God has increased significantly in the past several years. That's good. But there is "believing" and then there is "believing". By that I mean, one can believe in the head and/or believe in the heart.
Let me illustrate with this really old story. But, perhaps new to you. I hope so!
A man who is crossing a desert in the days of the pioneers ran into trouble and was dying of thirst when he spotted a pump near an abandoned shack.
He had no water to prime the pump, but he noticed a jar of water near the pump with a note attached. It read:
"There is just enough water in this jar to prime the pump, but not if you drink some first. Pour the water in the top of the pump and pump the handle quickly. After you have had a drink, refill this jar for the next man who comes along."What would you do? What would the man "dying of thirst" do? Here is the point. To follow the directions first and NOT take a drink would be an exercise of the kind of BELIEF that the Bible speaks.
Believing God (in our heart) through a difficult situation requires such belief. We are staking our life on the truth of God's promises. The man in our story takes the chance of pouring out all of the water and getting none to drink if the pump fails. He trusts the message is right. He acts in faith, believing, WITHOUT receiving. That is where you might be at this time of your life. So these are truly words for courageous living. Jesus said, (Mark 9:23)
"If you can believe, all things are possible."My prayer for you, my friend
Lord, I ask that this dear on-line reader really believe. May they be among those who are blessed because of their belief. Through it all, may they be those who in simplicity take you at your "written note" (the Bible) on life's pump.
Amen