Hindrance 1: Testing God's Ability
Luke 23:8 "When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased,
because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From
what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform
some miracle." NIV
Matt 27:42 "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save
himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from
the cross, and we will believe in him." NIV
In both of these instances people were trying to test Jesus'
ability to perform miracles and they received nothing in
return. Their curiosity was not satisfied. King Herod was
always interested in miracles and was curious to see Jesus
perform one. The scribes and Pharisees wanted also to see
Jesus perform a miracle as well, but they were not sincere
either.
My friends God is not our slave, neither is He our miracle
worker. Too often we address God as children address Santa
Clause. "I want this and also I want that, and let's not
forget that either!" God will never satisfy this kind of
curiosity. People who are not sincere in their prayers and
never intend to give their heart to God are merely playing
mind games.
God does not need to prove Himself. He is our Creator. He is
our Saviour. He loves us! What more do we want?
Heb 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God,
because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists
and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." NIV
Without faith in God, we are fooling ourselves to receive
what we want from God. "Give me, give me, give me" isn't
God's way. God's way is: John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the
world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." NIV
How different from our world's mentality. The world
constantly wants to receive. God is the opposite, He gives.
But He gives only gifts that are good for us like eternal
salvation, like inner peace, like friendship… Matt 7:11-12
"How much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to
those who ask him!" NIV
