Day 7 – The Hidden Side of Belief

Your Next 40 Days - Day 7

Read

Matthew 28:16-20

Reflect

You often hear people say that to believe in Jesus to become a Christian. And in many ways that’s true.

But belief works both ways.

One of the things few Christians talk about is that God also believes in us.

Just look at the scene in today’s scripture passage. Jesus is gathering with his closest disciples:

    • One is already gone because he betrayed Jesus.
    • Another denied Jesus and cut off a soldier’s ear (against Jesus’ wishes).
    • They all fell asleep when Jesus was being betrayed.
    • The disciples had at times been unable to perform miracles (Matthew 17:14-20)

Despite all this, Jesus did something radical. He decided to trust the future of the church to them — the people who rarely got it right.

Jesus believed in them even more than they believed in Him.

Think about that for a moment:

God believes in you even when you don’t believe in him.

It was so life-altering for the disciples that it increased their belief in God. Having someone believe in you has a way of doing that, doesn’t it?

So today, regardless of where your faith might be at, remember that Jesus believes in you. He really does. And that might help you believe more deeply in Him.

Respond

Belong – Because you can belong before you believe.
What does it feel like to be believed in?

Believe – Because those who belong often start to believe.
Jesus’ belief in you can bring you to the point where, like the disciples, you finally confess your belief in Him.

Become – Because everyone who believes can become someone new.
Your mistakes and your sin hasn’t killed God’s steadfast love for you. He still believes in you. Let that shape who you become moving forward.

Dear God, Thank you that you believe in me even in those moments when I don’t believe enough in you. Help your belief in me to reshape the depth of my belief in you. Through Christ I pray, Amen.

– by Carey Niewuhof

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Carey Nieuwhof

Written By

Carey Nieuwhof

Carey is the founding pastor of Connexus Church and has been serving in ministry since 1995. He is passionate about leading people into a relationship with Christ and helping people thrive in life and leadership.

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