We often assume we are believers while still exhibiting signs of disbelief. Fear is the most prominent symptom of this disbelief. Despite being consumed by fear in many aspects of life, people may still consider themselves faithful. However, fear and faith cannot coexist, just as darkness cannot dwell with light. Fear arises from doubt and a lack of trust, and if we fail to fully trust God, how can we truly be believers in Christ?
Ignorance of God’s Sovereignty
A father of a demon-possessed boy once pleaded with Jesus, saying, “If You can, please deliver my son.” This statement revealed his doubt in God’s power. However, the root of his doubt was not entirely his own fault but rather the failure of the disciples, who had been unable to free the boy from the demon’s grip. This has led the father of the demon-possessed son to doubt God’s ability (Mark 9:14-28).
As believers, our spiritual shortcomings can mislead others, causing them to underestimate the power and love of God. Jesus later explained that the disciples’ inability to cast out the demon was due to a lack of prayer. This reminds us that prayer is not merely about presenting petitions but about maintaining a continuous dialogue with our Heavenly Father.
The disciples, knowing their limitations, could have asked the man to wait for Jesus instead of attempting what they could not do. This simple act would have strengthened the man’s faith in Jesus. He would have eagerly awaited Jesus’ arrival and, upon seeing Him, would not have said, “If You can,” because the disciples’ acknowledgment of their dependence on Jesus would have reflected His power and authority.
As believers, do we guide others to Jesus, encouraging them to wait on Him and trust in His power? Or do we, in our eagerness, try to take His place, acting as though we can accomplish what only He can? Let us ensure our zeal does not inadvertently diminish people’s understanding of God’s power and love.
Prayer Answers and Miracles
Relying on signs and wonders to trust God is, in fact, a sign of disbelief. While people may praise God when their prayers are answered, this can lead to an evidence-based faith—one that depends on visible results. Such faith is fragile and crumbles when no further evidence is found. We often celebrate God as a prayer-answering God, but does this mean He is obligated to fulfill all our requests?
Consider the example of a son managing his father’s business. If the son is unfamiliar with his father or the business, he must constantly seek his father’s guidance for every decision. However, a son who knows his father intimately and understands the business can act confidently without needing continual direction. Similarly, when we have a deep, abiding relationship with our Heavenly Father, we don’t rely on signs and His answer to our prayers to move forward—we trust Him implicitly.
Jesus referred to those who seek signs as an “adulterous generation (Matthew 16:4).” This illustrates the importance of staying in constant communion with Him. When we truly abide in Jesus, signs become unnecessary, as our faith is rooted in our relationship with Him, not in external evidence.
Similarly, marveling at God’s miracles can reflect our disbelief. While admiring the splendor of His creation is appropriate, being amazed by His acts reveals how little we truly understand His power and nature. When Jesus calmed the storm, the disciples were astonished by the miracle and filled with fear, showing their limited grasp of who He truly was.
They wondered, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him” – Luke 8:25
Their lack of faith left them both fearful and amazed. As children of God, we should understand His power and trust Him completely. Relying on miracles to grasp His potential will not sustain our faith in the long run. When challenges arise again, we are likely to fear, forgetting the past miracles.
The Israelites, for example, witnessed God parting the Red Sea but quickly forgot His power, showing disbelief repeatedly in the wilderness. While they were undoubtedly awestruck by the Red Sea’s parting, their amazement highlighted their failure to fully grasp that God, as the Creator, has authority over all creation and can accomplish anything. Being astonished by His acts often reflects our forgetfulness of His Godly nature and limitless power.
The Greater Miracle: God’s Love
Instead of focusing on everyday miracles, we should meditate on the ultimate miracle—God’s sacrificial love that saved us from eternal separation. He redeemed us, not because we asked, but because of His incredible love.
Let us redirect our awe from God’s routine displays of power to the unparalleled depth of His grace. In doing so, fear and reliance on miracles should no longer resonate as disbelief in our hearts. Instead, may our faith reflect His steadfast love and faithfulness, inspiring others to place their trust in Him.
The Jordan Valley 
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