WEEK
7 - Day 2
Danger of hindering
God's work through unbelief
Introduction
"Blessed
are you who have believed", said Elizabeth to Mary. Through her trusting
"yes" and through her readiness, "let it happen to me", she opened herself
to the breakthrough of God's reality in her being, in her time and place
in the world. (cf. p 48). Again and again, in no uncertain terms,
Jesus praises as blessed those who open themselves in faith to his works.
However, these occurrences also have their reverse side which we often
overlook in the Gospel. Through our unbelief the work of God is hindered.
We can close ourselves off from the reality of God and thereby close off
the living stream of God's fullness that wants to flow through our situation
to the world . From the Gospel of Mark, there comes a word that helps
us to ponder this: "And they took offense at him... . .and he could do
no mighty work there ... And he marveled because of their unbelief." (6:3-6).
Jesus experienced that in his home town.
Exercice
-
Matthew 17:20b ("Nothing will be impossible to you")
Variation
-
Matthew 17:14-20 ("Because of your little faith")
Comment:
Certainly we achieve many things through faith in God. However,
it would be completely false to see unoffered prayer as a result of unbelief.
Every offered prayer is and remains the free and unmerited grace of God.