Do You Know or Do You Believe?

Scripture: Romans 4:20-22 -  He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform 22 And therefore it was accounted to him for righteousness.

I know I shouldn’t fear but still I am afraid,
I know I shouldn’t worry when situations are grave.
I know for sure Your grace is sufficient for me;
But when I don’t get my way; I tend to disagree.
When the storms in my life cause me to be blue,
I lean on my own understanding instead of trusting in You.
That mustard seed of faith seems great in size
When I’m forced to deal with problems that suddenly arise.
So, although I can quote Proverbs, Corinthians, & Timothy,
When life overwhelms, I seem to fail miserably.
Lord, forgive my frailty and unbelief;
You said that Your strength is made perfect when I am weak.
Please help me, Lord, to not just know
But instead believe fully in the promises You bestow.

There’s a big difference between knowing and believing. Knowing is having full awareness of something; while believing is accepting what you know as true. Many Christians know that God is a promise keeper, that God is able (2Cor 9:8), that His grace is sufficient (1Cor 12:9), and that He loves them and will never forsake them (Deuteronomy 31:6). They can recite the verses that tell of God’s goodness, God’s abilities, and God’s love but do they really believe those words? Do you truly believe what God has said? Undoubtedly, you may know what God said in the light still holds true in the darkness but do you believe His words to be true. When times get hard and situations get dicey do you truly rest in what God has said or do you lean unto your own understanding?
Believing doesn’t mean you don’t get concerned; it means that when situations arise you have a confidence that others don’t have. When you accept what the Lord has said as true you stand taller, you rest better, you weather storms differently. On the other hand, when you are just aware of what God says even a small rain can shake your foundation.

Prayer: Dear Lord, Your word is indeed Your bond. Your word is solid and no situation and no person can change it. Help us Lord to do more than just know what You’ve said, but to accept Your word as truth. Let us walk confidently knowing that Your word is infallible, Your promises unbreakable, and Your power unsurpassed. Thank you for showing us mercy even when we doubt You. Forgive us Lord for falling apart even though You have said that You have us and are in full control. You are our protector, provider, and healer and yet we still waiver when situations get scary. Thank you for loving us anyway, for protecting us anyway, for providing for us anyway, and for healing us anyway. You are awesome and wonderful and we’d be lost without you. Thank you, Lord for Your undying love, and for Your son, Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins. In the matchless name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.

(by Patricia Towns)