1103. The Sin of Unbelief in the Realm of Man's Need

The Sin of Unbelief in the Realm of Man's Need

"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Php_4:19).

When Thomas in unbelief staggered at the fact of the resurrection of Christ, we hold up our hands in horror. Yet is it not true that the same spirit of unbelief often grips us as to our greatest needs?

Of course, the Bible says: "My God shall supply all your need;" of course, the Bible says "Jehovah-Jireh," "the Lord will provide," but still we doubt the Lord.

When bread in abundance was promised the children of Israel upon the occasion of the siege of Samaria, did not one say, "Behold, if the Lord would make windows in Heaven, might this thing be?" (2Ki_7:2).

After the children of Israel had been led across the sea as by dry land did they not disbelieve the Lord? They said: "Can He give bread also? Can He provide flesh for His people?" After both bread and flesh were provided yet they believed not, nor trusted in the God of their salvation. "How oft did they provoke Him in the wilderness, and grieve Him in the desert! Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel" (see Psalms 78 :).

Are we much better than they? Are we ever of greater faith than Thomas?

1. We doubt God concerning our daily sustenance–the food for our bodies, the clothes for our backs. Let us go forth and behold the fowls of the air: "They sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them." Why then should we be anxious as to what we should eat or what we shall drink or as to that with which we shall be clothed? Does not our Heavenly Father know that we have need of all these things? Will He not care for His own?

2. We doubt God concerning our daily succor. We mean "succor," in the sense of "protection from the enemy."

Satan is going about seeking whom he may devour. He is the antagonist of the believer. He brings many powers to bear against us. He endeavors in every way to hinder our spiritual development and our faithful testimony.

But why should we fear? Has not God promised, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee"? God will surely provide a way to escape, or else God will surely give us strength to help in time of need. He will put His arms around us. So, we need not fear.

3. We doubt God concerning strength for service. God places a task before us; He bids us to go and fulfill all His will. Then we draw back in unbelief.

Moses was told to approach Pharaoh but he demurred. He cried out: "Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?" (Exo_3:11).

In answer to Moses' fear the Lord said: "Certainly, I will be with thee."

Then Moses trembled still and he said: "But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee" (Exo_4:1).

God in response turned Moses' rod into a serpent and then into a rod again; then he turned Moses' hand and made it leprous, as snow; and then He made it whole again.

Still Moses cried again in his fear to undertake so great a task, and said "unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since Thou hast spoken unto Thy servant; but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue" (Exo_4:10).

We need not be hard on Moses, for we, too, are often filled with unbelief when God commands us to go forth in His work.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR