The Power of Unbelief

So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief. (Hebrews 3:19)

Heb. 3:7-19; Ps. 95:7-11; Prov. 28:14; John 12:37-43

What Is God Saying?

The author of Hebrews wrote to early Christians in Jerusalem who were discouraged. They were often ridiculed and scorned. These Christians, born into Judaism, were turning their backs on all that, and for what reason? The preaching of this Nazarene could hardly stand against their deeply rooted customs and time-honored rites.

Christian Jews needed encouragement- what they had in Christ is much better. Moses was a servant of God, but Christ is ‘faithful over God's house as a Son’ (3:6). Follow Christ as a better leader out of bondage and into the rest and freedom of God. Moses was great, but Christ is greater. The unbelief, the deceitfulness of sin, defeated God's purpose under Moses. Unbelief can still keep a person away from Christ. Unbelief can hold back God's hand and block the entrance to the promised land of salvation. (Matthew 13:58)

How Does This Apply To Us?

Unbelief has power—only faith has more. Only faith can emerge triumphant. Unbelief makes God seem unreal and irrelevant. Faith is the foundation of all prayer. Faith believes God is able and available. Only faith can conquer unbelief. In prayer, we cast our vote for faith and against unbelief.

Pray With Me

Lord, you chose your people to be blessed and a blessing to others. Yet they hardened their hearts in rebellion against you. Unbelief is the only thing that keeps us from receiving God's best and being blessed. It extinguishes the light of hope. It is disharmony to the song of joy. It locks the door to bliss and opens the door to sorrow. It blocks the road to peace and paves the road to frustration. It makes us afraid to walk the narrow road that leads to life. It drives us to go with the crowd on the broad road to destruction. It makes the impossible remain impossible and the easy seem complicated. It restrains the omnipotent hand of God: “He did no mighty works there, because of their unbelief.”

Lord, let a new vision of Your eternal glory enable me to break from the chilling grip of doubt. Set me free from fear. Let awareness of your steadfast love drive away the chilling clouds of unbelief. “I believe; help my unbelief.”

In the name of Him who said,” This is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith.” Amen.

Moving On In The Life of Prayer

We are never free of doubt. Unbelief is persistent. Prayer becomes our weapon, and faith gives us victory, day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment. God's glory, truth, love, and His gift in Jesus Christ feed our faith. Think about those things, and unbelief will surrender. And prayer will become joy, freedom, and life.