Day of Praise

Fri, 02/10/17, "Day of Praise"

"Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him." - John 12:37

How do you explain it? People see miracles with their own eyes, and then they still don't believe in the one who did the miracles. How do you explain it?

We could make an educated guess at how some still don't believe even after seeing the provision, work, and wonder of God. The following is my guess:

First, yes, people see the miracles of Jesus turn something bad into good. 

Second, that means the "bad thing" was conquered. 

Third, like a living tree that's just been cut down and obviously still has some lingering signs of life (like the green wood and leaves), when a bad thing is conquered or cut down then it too may have some lingering signs of life in the immediate time period that follows. 

Fourth, though the bad thing indeed has lingering signs of life, because it's defeated, its lingering signs of life will also pass with time. 

Fifth, unbelief happens because people don't focus on the one who cut down and conquered the bad thing, but they focus instead on the signs of life that linger from the bad thing. 

Sixth, but, in spite of their focus on the lingering bad thing, that bad thing is indeed cut down or conquered, and its lingering signs of life will pass with time. 

Seventh, we are blessed by people who turn our focus from the lingering bad, who turn our focus from the pokes of a defeated devil, from the frustrations of difficulties that seem to keep hanging around and who instead turn our focus onto God and His Word, who cut down the Evil One and conquered all his minions, cronies, servile followers, and subordinates. 

Eighth, so let's be a blessing today to the many people who are discouraged from believing both in God's presence and also in the miracles he has and will work for us through Jesus. They get discouraged because signs of evil linger all around us, which is the reason that any of us get discouraged. 

But Jesus conquered and cut down the source of all evil. And Jesus has defeated all sources of temptation and evil. 

So let's boldly encourage the discouraged not to dwell on the lingering evil, and encourage them to look to the One who is victorious and joined us to his victory through our faith in him. Indeed, as God's own word tells us, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2).

God reigns! Look to him, and trust him, and we will indeed see that this is true!!!

Praise God!