Lack of Faith

Day 21

¹ When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. ² Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb ³ and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” ⁴ But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. ⁵ As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. ⁶ “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. ⁷ But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him,just as he told you.’” ⁸ Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.⁹ When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. ¹⁰ She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. ¹¹ When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. ¹² Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. ¹³ These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. ¹⁴ Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. ¹⁵ He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.¹⁶ Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. ¹⁷ And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; ¹⁸ they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” ¹⁹ After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. ²⁰ Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. - Mark 16:1-20

S - is there a sin to confess?
P - is there a promise to claim?
A - is there an attitude to change?
C - is there a command to obey?
E - is there an example to follow?
P - is there a prayer to pray?
E - is there an error to avoid?
T - is there a truth to believe?
S - is there something to praise God for?

S - When we lack trust in God, we are holding back, we are saying that we want to be in control, we want to play God, and it isn't genuine faith in Christ.

P - N/A

A - The attitude we must have here is one that is trusting. Trusting God in all situations, thick or thin, difficult or simple, we have to learn to let go and give all anxiety, problems and issues to Him. He's got it all in control.

C - God clearly commands us to go out into the world and preach the gospel (v.15). Are we doing so as believers? This good news that we know of and hold onto, are we sharing it with those we are lost, those who we love that have not heard about it yet?

E - N/A

P - Pray for the ability to let go and trust God completely and wholeheartedly.

E - Similar to the sin, the error here is the lack of faith, just as shown in the eleven disciples (v.14).

T - The truth this time around is that God will rise from the dead and will conquer all things, in fact, he already has, thats the greatest joy.

S - So let us praise Him for his power and victory for and with us. We are made right in his eyes when we believe, and we are saved through his love.

The eleven disciples had a lack of faith in Christ, and most of time, im sure we experience the same thing. We want to be in control, know exactly what is going on, but its when we learn to let go and let God, we see his work, power and control in our lives. When you see it you will realize how much better and how great it is compared to whatever you had planned for yourself. This has definitely been a reoccurring lesson this past first year of university and im slowly learning to let go and trust him more and more with my life. In the end, we belong to Him, so why not let the master and creator of the universe use you to your maximum potential?

My Prayer: Holy Father, you are powerful and almighty. You rose from the dead just as you said and promised. You've conquered all things and it is a blessing to call you my Saviour and Lord, having you on my side, watching out for me. Continue to refine me, molding me to become more like you, trusting your plan and following your word. You are a great God and we praise you forevermore. Amen.