Lenten Devotion
March 17, 2023
All Day
Mark 8:14-21
14 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”16 They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”“Twelve,” they replied.20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”They answered, “Seven.”21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”
Fighting the Battle of Unbelief
The unfortunate fact is that we small humans find it hard to trust our great God. Fortunately, our God knows of this character defect, and he cares enough to address it many times throughout his Word. The disciples doubted Jesus’ ability to provide for 12 with 1 loaf right after feeding 4,000 with 7 loaves.
I believe God used such an extreme example of unbelief to show us just how easily it creeps in. God knows we find it hard to trust him, even after many signs to the contrary. Do not be surprised therefore when your soul faces unbelief. Do not let the enemy convince you that this time your unbelief is right. Each time a trial comes with the thought: “This time he won’t show up. This time his deliverance will not reach me.” Do not believe it as truth. Instead, the Lord commands us to be careful and to watch out for it - to expect unbelief. In expecting it we can equip our souls against it. When unbelief rings its insistent bell, we should declare in an even louder voice: “Do you not see or understand? Do you have eyes but fail to see, ears but fail to hear? Do you not remember his deliverance in the previous valley?”
He will provide, and provide abundantly.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me believe and trust in your deliverance. Do not let me be swept up by the enemy’s lies. I know you are a good Father. Amen.