Luke chapter 16 verses 16-19 (NIV)
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’“ He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Matthew Chapter 28: verses 16-17 (NIV)
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
Lazarus asked for a miracle to happen so that his family would believe, repent and turn to God. But he was told that they had the word of God to teach them, and that even miracles are not always enough on their own to change people’s hearts. We see that even after Jesus had risen. Even face to face with Christ Himself, we read that some doubted.
We need to act by faith and be obedient to what God says, otherwise all the miracles we can think of will not make a difference in our hearts. I am convinced that unless we act in that way, our hearts become hard and we are unmoved even by the power of God. We should not try to bargain with God. We should not say,”if You do this for me God, I’ll do that in return.” Sometimes God is gracious to those who are seeking, like Gideon, and will move in that way by giving them a sign, but for those who are already in a relationship with Him, He expects us to hear what He has to say through His word and respond with obedience. When we do that’s when the signs and wonders will follow, not because we have asked for them. I believe that these things to come under the counsel of Jesus when He taught us to seek first the kingdom of God, and then all the other things will be given to us as well. (Matthew Chapter 6 verse 33)
Dear Lord,
Help me to remember that the most important thing You want from me is a willing heart and total obedience. When You have that You can move through us in whatever way You choose. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.