Shutting Off Intimacy with God

“But without faith it is impossible to please him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV).

All the praying in the world will not help you unless you mix it with faith. You can fast and pray for days or weeks, but you will not please God without faith. Your efforts will profit you nothing unless your heart is anchored in faith.

“Let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord” (James 1:6-7).

If you are praying fervently yet never believe God will answer you, you are embarrassing him. It may make you feel good or holy; but in reality, you are wasting time, wallowing in unbelief and doubt.

I know Christians who say they pray daily, often weeping before the Lord, yet nothing happens. They remain heavyhearted and depressed. Their lives are always in turmoil because they have come into God’s presence not fully persuaded that he will do what he promised.

Hear his assurances! “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:24). “And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive” (Matthew 21:22).

Many of God’s people live like spiritual paupers because something happened that made them question God’s love. They say, “How can I trust God when I don’t understand why he would allow such a thing to happen to me?”

There is no human answer to their confusion. God knows the end from the beginning, and only when we are in heaven will we understand why some of these winds and waves have tossed us and why God allowed it all.

I believe all we need to know for now is this: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb?... Yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:15-16). God has given us his word. “You are my child. You are written in the palm of my hand, so trust me!”