You Believe God Can, But Do You Believe God Will?

Where then do You get that living water? — John 4:11

“The well is deep” — and even a great deal deeper than the Samaritan woman knew! (John 4:11). Think of the depths of human nature and human life; think of the depth of the “wells” in you. Have you been limiting, or impoverishing, the ministry of Jesus to the point that He is unable to work in your life? Suppose that you have a deep “well” of hurt and trouble inside your heart, and Jesus comes and says to you, “Let not your heart be troubled…” (John 14:1). Would your response be to shrug your shoulders and say, “But, Lord, the well is too deep, and even You can’t draw up quietness and comfort out of it.” Actually, that is correct. Jesus doesn’t bring anything up from the wells of human nature— He brings them down from above. We limit the Holy One of Israel by remembering only what we have allowed Him to do for us in the past, and also by saying, “Of course, I cannot expect God to do this particular thing.” The thing that approaches the very limits of His power is the very thing we as disciples of Jesus ought to believe He will do. The reason some of us are such poor examples of Christianity is that we have failed to recognize that Christ is almighty. We have Christian attributes and experiences, but there is no abandonment or surrender to Jesus Christ. When we get into difficult circumstances, we impoverish His ministry by saying, “Of course, He can’t do anything about this.” We struggle to reach the bottom of our own well, trying to get water for ourselves." -My Utmost For His Highest

Can opposite truths co-exist?  Happen at the same time? Can it be nighttime here and daytime here at the same time? No.  The earth's position with respect to the sun determines that.  If it is 12 noon it cannot be 12 midnight in the same place on the earth at the same time.  It's impossible.  Sound silly?  Well, so might the thought that God is able ... and at the same time God is not able.  I trust God and, at the same time, I don't trust God.  (Mark 9:23-24) " Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” 

Perhaps the man believed Jesus could, but struggled with believing that Jesus would. It's one to agree that it is true when it is not happening to you, personally.  You may believe Jesus can intervene in your life's circumstances, but doubt that He will.  Really what you are struggling with is whether Jesus will do what you want Him to do in the way you want Him to do it or not.  What if the thing you want done is not what will bring glory to the Father?  I talk to so many people that acknowledge the truth of the Word but reject it with respect to their particular circumstance at a particular time in their life.  I was talking to a woman who had been maligned and betrayed by her son ... she said I forgive him ... I asked if he had repented?  She didn't answer which was an answer ... I said the father of the prodigal loved the younger son but did not embrace him until the son repented ... she wants to embrace him before he has a heart change ... she is in for more heartache. Our faith struggle often has to do with our unwillingness to be doers of the Word and not hearers only.  (James 1:22) This brings to mind an old friend - Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."  

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone