The disciples got rebuked after the resurrection of Jesus because they would not believe the good news reported by those who had seen Him.
Mark 16:14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.
That news seemed too good to be true, Jesus is alive? He said He would raise the third day!
But here these high and mighty called ones are hearing the news from lowly women and common followers.
When we received a word, we can sit on it and say, "if it is the Lord it will prove itself." Or, we can say in agreement it is the Lord because it comes from His word, thus we believe it, and will pray it, and stand on it.
If this can’t help you get your praise on then you need to do some serious business with God and beg His mercy to soften your heart.
When we get to the place where we are numb to His promises in our lives and we cannot rejoice at the promise of His goodness then brothers and sisters the truth is we are hardened of heart and walking in unbelief.
We need renewal so we can embrace His bounty. Without a heart softening His bounty will flow and we will miss out because we were blind to it.
You can walk the journey numb and unaware and feeling sorry for yourself, or you can walk the journey alive, aware, and full of the joy of the Holy Ghost.
He has promised us bounty! He has already manifested it among us. You can stand by and wait to see if it will run over you like a freight train to prove itself, or you can rejoice with your brothers and sisters who have already began to see it evidenced knowing full well it is flowing into your life too!
If even in death we do not grieve like the world because of the amazing hope shed abroad in our hearts, how much more should we not be depressed like the world and instead be filled with rejoicing in the hope of His bounty?
That’s why the Scripture can say with all authority, put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, lift up your voice to God! It’s time to ask, to seek and knock!
About The Author
- Tim Atchley
- Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
- I currently serve as Senior Pastor of Harvest Church in Knoxville, Tn. I was sent out from Trinity Chapel of Knoxville in 1993 accompanied by my wife Sheila our four children Sarah, Hannah, Josiah & Isaac and a handful of bold, brave and committed believers determined to plant our first church. Pioneering is hard work but well worth the journey. That is why we desire to make disciples of Christ who will, like us, also embrace the call to plant churches.
