IS MY UNBELIEF HINDERING GOD'S WORK

Are there Scriptures that kind of frighten you? There are for me! Mark 6:5–6 (see also Matthew 13:58) contains a statement that I find kind of scary, and certainly very sad:

“And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief.”

What’s going on here? The Sovereign Lord, who made all things, was hindered in doing miracles by people’s unbelief?

Early in Jesus’ ministry he was in his home town of Nazareth, where he had been brought up. (See Luke 4:16–30.) On the Sabbath day he went to the synagogue, where he read from Isaiah 61:1–2:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Jesus then told his listeners that he was fulfilling that Scripture right then—in their hearing. The people marveled at Jesus’ words, but they didn’t accept His claim. They knew who he was (or so they thought)—the son of Joseph, a local craftsman. How could he possibly be fulfilling the Scripture?

Jesus continued in his ministry for quite some time. He traveled throughout the land preaching, teaching, and performing many miracles. More and more people believed that he truly was the Messiah. There was plenty of evidence that he was.

But when he returned to his hometown of Nazareth, however, he found a different situation, which is described in Matthew 13:53–58 and Mark 6:1–6. Once again Jesus returned to the synagogue on the Sabbath Day; once again he taught; once again the people marveled at his words, and even referred to his miracles. But once again they took offense at him, because once again they didn’t think he was the Messiah. As a result, his visit to his hometown was summarized in those sad words: “And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief.”

Now, let me be quick to affirm that God can do anything he wants to. So Jesus certainly could have worked miracles in Nazareth. But God will not force us to believe, or force himself on us. He wants genuine love, and genuine love isn’t forced. And apparently that genuine love and belief was missing in Nazareth. So Jesus didn’t work miracles there to the degree he had done in many other places.

We can be quick to shake our heads at those poor people of Nazareth, and “tsk-tsk” at them, but let’s stop a minute and ask ourselves, “Do I ever fail to see God work because I don’t really believe?” We can pray and ask God to do something, but doubt that he really will. Even if we say we believe he can, there can be a question in our minds as to whether he will. It’s right to correctly understand Jesus’ promises when we pray, and always pray with humility, desiring only that which is part of God’s will. But let’s be sure to ask in faith, without doubting either God’s love or his ability to act. Remember, Satan sows doubt, not faith.

And let’s not fall into the trap of putting limits in our mind on what God can do. Some years ago the church we were attending was raising funds for a project, and the leaders asked the congregation to pray about the matter, and act in faith on God’s prompting. Andy, one of my friends who was a dear brother in the Lord, had a problem with this idea. He was an accountant and knew how to keep track of finances. He knew what his budget and salary were, and felt that every dollar was already allocated. There weren’t any extra dollars he could give for the project. He couldn’t imagine that his financial situation could change.

Andy failed to consider God’s creativity—that God wasn’t limited to his salary, but would provide the “extra” amount he’d impressed on Andy that he should commit to giving. Sadly, Andy missed out on the opportunity to see God work in an unexpected way due to his unbelief.

In contrast, I’ve seen God move and provide in ways that were completely unexpected. I’ve experienced remarkable—even miraculous—acts of God—and heard testimonies from other people who have also witnessed God’s hand at work. Does that mean I always pray in complete faith? If only that were true! But I do frequently remind myself to check my motives, and ask God to accomplish his will.

I hope that’s true of you as well.