Mixing the Word with Faith.
by Doreen Bashford
Have you ever doubted – even laughed – at the Word of God? I am embarrassed to say that I have. Sometimes I have even thought that some scriptures are bandied about like clichés, so my reaction, although deeply hidden, has been (as a true South African), “Yes. Sure!” Here is one such scripture, ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end’ (Jeremiah 29:11). Past circumstances and present difficulties can make this scripture hard to believe. But it never fails to amaze me how God knows exactly how and precisely which ‘buttons’ to push to get my attention.
With the escalating pandemic and the confines of lockdown starting to bite, I was pondering on various scenarios in my life and those of my children and grandchildren. Surprisingly, I wasn’t worrying, just wondering what the outcome of this was going to look like for each of us.
It wasn’t long before the Lord brought the scripture, Jeremiah 29:11, across my path. This time it was different. I knew He had spoken, deep into my spirit, and what made it doubly precious is that I wasn’t really looking for an answer. I was just wondering what was next. The assurance that came, as the Holy Spirit quickened the Word to me, was that God has got it all in hand. It immediately brought me the peace that passes all understanding.
I was in awe, yet again, of God’s grace and kindness, despite my unbelief. My gratitude was immense. I repented and asked God to change my heart, to take out the heart of stone and to give me a new heart. I also asked the Holy Spirit to help me dig out all the areas of unbelief which I had buried in my subconscious mind. Maybe you can identify with me?
Let’s not be like the Israelites who couldn’t receive the promises, because, even though they heard the Word they ‘did not mix it with faith’ (Hebrews 4:2). Let’s determine to inherit everything that Jesus purchased for us on the cross.
Prayer: Father, I confess that, even though I believe, I need You to help me with my unbelief. I have not always received Your Word with faith and thereby have grieved You. I repent and ask You to please forgive me and to cleanse me from the defilement of this sin of unbelief. I choose to receive and to hide Your Word in my heart, so that I don’t give in to sin again. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Doreen Bashford In 1996 Doreen was a Telehelper (telephone counsellor) and she attended the first Ellel Conference which was held in Pinetown KZN. Peter Horrobin was the main speaker. God answered her prayers when Ellel KZN was established in 2013 she attended all the courses that were available and became a member of the Associate team in 2015.
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