When Will You Believe What God Promised?
God asks us to believe what He promised us and to trust in His strength and power, rather than relying on our own weaknesses and fears.
David Wilkerson addresses the issue of self-doubt among Christians, emphasizing that feelings of inadequacy stem from a lack of belief in God's promises. He draws parallels to the Israelite spies who, despite witnessing God's power, focused on their weaknesses and declared themselves incapable. Wilkerson asserts that such attitudes are not humble but rather a rejection of God's strength and faithfulness. He challenges believers to trust in God's promises and strength, reminding them that their worth is not defined by their abilities but by their faith in Him. Ultimately, he calls for a shift from self-doubt to belief in God's unwavering support.
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Do you know Christians who always complain about how inadequate they feel? They constantly belittle themselves and compare themselves to those they admire, thinking, "I'm nothing like him. It's hopeless for me."
You may remember the Old Testament story of the Israelite spies sent to scout out the Promised Land. They came back saying, "Yes, it's a land flowing with milk and honey, but it's also full of giants and walled-up cities. We're not able to go up against these people. Compared to them, we are mere grasshoppers" (see Numbers 13).
Now, these men didn't accuse God. They never said, "God isn't able. He isn't strong enough." They dared not voice such unbelief but, instead, they focused on themselves, saying, "We're like little bugs in the sight of our enemies."
That is not humility and it isn't innocent, harmless talk. Rather, it is an affront to the One who is the light of the world. This light commands us to believe, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).
You see, when you complain of your inabilities and weaknesses, you're not putting yourself down, you're putting down your Lord. How? Because you're refusing to believe or walk in his Word. The Israelite spies were so focused on their inabilities they were ready to quit but what was God's response to their fears and unbelief? "The Lord said to Moses: 'How long will these people reject Me? And how long will they not believe Me, with all the signs which I have performed among them?'" (Numbers 14:11). God charged them with one sin: unbelief.
Today the Lord is asking his people the same question he asked Israel: "When will you believe what I promised you? I said my strength would come to you in your times of weakness. You are not to rely on the strength of your flesh. I am Jehovah, everlasting strength, and I will make you strong through my might."
Sermon Outline
- I. The Problem of Self-Doubt
- A. Christians who complain about their inadequacies
- B. Comparing themselves to others
- C. Focusing on their weaknesses
- II. The Example of the Israelite Spies
- A. Their fear of the giants and walled-up cities
- B. Their refusal to believe God's promise
- C. Their focus on themselves rather than God
- III. The Consequences of Unbelief
- A. Refusing to believe God's Word
- B. Putting down our Lord by focusing on our weaknesses
- C. The sin of unbelief
- IV. God's Response to Our Fears
- A. His question to us: 'When will you believe what I promised you?'
- B. His promise of strength in our times of weakness
- C. His desire to make us strong through His might
Key Quotes
“I said my strength would come to you in your times of weakness.” — David Wilkerson
“You are not to rely on the strength of your flesh. I am Jehovah, everlasting strength, and I will make you strong through my might.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We must learn to trust in God's strength and power, rather than relying on our own weaknesses and fears.
- Unbelief is a sin that separates us from God and prevents us from experiencing His strength and power.
- We must focus on God's promises and trust in His ability to make us strong in our times of weakness.