In Matthew, the words unbelief or little faith caught my attention. In Matthew 16, the disciples had forgotten to bring bread before crossing over the lake. They started talking amongst themselves asking what they were going to do. Jesus answered "O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? (Matthew 16:8-10) How many time have we forgotten the blessings God has given us or all the times He has come through on our behalf. In Matthew 17, there was a lunatic man that was brought for healing. The disciples prayed and could not heal him. He was brought to Jesus. Jesus rebuked the devil and the man was healed that very hour. The disciples asked Jesus, "Why could we not heal him?" Jesus replied "because of your unbelief." Jesus continues to say in Matthew 17: 20-21, "for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." This has got me to thinking about my own doubt, unbelief, or little faith. I do not want to hinder God's work, plan, purpose, blessing, healing, etc. because of my unbelief. Lord, take my unbelief. Well, you may say, I am not seeing what I desire to see in the physical realm. I am not hearing the words I desire to hear. My prayers do not seem to go above the ceiling. I'm here to remind myself and you to pray "Lord, take my unbelief." I'm with you. I can relate. I know exactly what you are thinking and how you are feeling. I understand the desperate plea for change! I know the weary feeling very well. However, we have to realize and understand that the enemy is walking around seeking whom he may devour. He sees the question look on our faces. He sees our countenance. He hears our words. He can detect if we're worried, stressed, distracted. So, how do I get away from the enemy? Be aware! Be aware of your surroundings. 1 Peter 5:8 says "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
My husband taught our lesson Wednesday night and he talked about this very scripture. He said "Don't be the village idiot, be sober and vigilant." He also went on to show how to survive a lion attack. It is so powerful how it correlates to the spiritual realm. He stated that you should stand your ground, retreating slowly, but continuing to face the lion while clapping your hands, shouting and waving your arms around to make yourself look bigger. He said to never run or turn your back. How crazy is that? Go look it up! What does that sound like to you?
Praise! Praise! Praise!
Prayer and praise! This is how you will fight your battles. This is how you will fight the battle of unbelief. You will fight by raising your voice and hands, clapping your hands, singing, and shouting praises unto God! If you constantly have a praise or prayer on your lips, the enemy will not be able to detect even the smallest amount of unbelief. Remind yourself of God's faithfulness. Recount all the times God has stepped into your situations or circumstances. Check yourself! Are you praying and praising each day? Remember to count your blessings daily. I am talking to myself here. When you are feeling defeated or having doubts, start praying and praising! Pray that the Lord will take your unbelief! Praise your way out of a lion attack and the battle of unbelief! Remember to count it all joy!
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