unbelief

Two verses I've read recently talk about the Israelites' unbelief:

"they could not enter in because of unbelief" (Hebrews 3:19)

"I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord having saved the people out of the land of Egypt afterward destroyed them that believed not." (Jude, verse 5)

It wasn't until I read in Jude today that I realized their unbelief wasn't really reflective of their thoughts on the existence of God but rather of their trust in His ability to provide. There have been many times I've pretty much just jumped over verses like that thinking - I believe in God! I've given my life to Him. No destruction for me!

But lately I've felt my trust and my thankfulness and my contentment falter (because those do all go together) and I realized that actually - those verses are just as much for me as they are for the unbeliever. If I cannot trust God to provide everything I need, and realize that He has already provided manna and has never failed me - I will not reap the blessings either. I will not enter into the Promised Land if I do not believe.

"And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." (Mark 9:24)

Well I was doubling over the load on my shoulders
Was a weight I carried with me everyday
Crossing miles of frustrations and rivers a raging
Picking up stones I found along the way
I staggered and I stumbled down
Pathways of trouble
I was hauling those souvenirs of misery
And with each step taken my back was breaking
'Til I found the One who took it all from me

Down by the riverside
(Down by the riverside)
I laid my burdens down,
Now I'm traveling light
My spirit lifted high
(I found my freedom now)
I found my freedom now
And I'm traveling light

Through the darkest alleys and loneliest valleys
I was dragging those heavy chains of doubt and fear
Then with the one word spoken the locks were broken
Now He's leading me to places
Where there are no tears

Down by the riverside
(Down by the riverside)
I laid my burdens down,
Now I'm traveling light
My spirit lifted high
(I found my freedom now)
I found my freedom now
And I'm traveling light

Down by the riverside
I laid my burdens down,
Now I'm traveling light
My spirit lifted high
I found my freedom now
And I'm traveling light

Down by the riverside
(Down by the riverside)
I laid my burdens down,
Now I'm traveling light
My spirit lifted high
(I found my freedom now)
I found my freedom now
And I'm traveling light

- Traveling Light, Sarah Groves and Joel Hanson