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Do You Believe?

by Elizabeth Marks
11/11/2006 / Devotionals

Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain. 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 NKJV

Have you ever experienced someone saying something they couldnt possibly know about and then later what they said actually comes to pass? Ive had this happen a few times with my young son. He has said things that he just shouldnt know anything about, but he speaks it anyway and with authority too. This is very strange coming from a child. Then later, the thing he spoke occurs just as he had said. I believe God was using him to demonstrate how He can use everything for His purpose.

The Thessalonians experienced the same thing. Paul had explained previously to them that trials and afflictions were going to occur. When Paul was arrested in Rome, the tribulation Paul spoke of came to pass. Therefore, Paul was concerned for the Thessalonians faith. He hoped they were not shaken by the situation, but rather strengthened in their faith by remembering he had told them this would happen.

Jesus repeatedly told His disciples the things that would happen before they occurred. He predicted His arrest, the brutality that would come on Him and His death on the cross. At the time, the disciples didnt get it. They were too focused on their own stuff to really understand what was going on.

Only after the things occurred, Christ died and was resurrected and appeared to the disciples, did they finally start to comprehend. Look at what Luke 24:44-49 says: Then He said to them, These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me. 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

Isnt that just like us? Were told exactly whats going to happen in the Bible, yet we dont really believe it, do we? Only when Christ reveals things to us, do we begin to see the truth. Thats where faith comes into play. We need to exercise our faith in Gods Word, trusting what it says that hasnt occurred yet will, in fact, happen in Gods timing.

So hows your faith? Do you believe the things in Gods Word will happen just as He said? If not, whats holding you back from believing?

Copyright Elizabeth Marks

Copyright Elizabeth Marks, author of ThinkOnIt Devotions, has a heart for encouraging believers with God's Word. Please visit http://www.ThinkOnItDevotions.com for more devotions, bible studies, book reviews and more!

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

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