Victory Lifeline

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

I have written about this before, but I feel impressed to talk about it more this morning! In the Old Testament, there are different Hebrew words used for sin. One is chata’. Chata’ means missing, such as missing the mark. We see the word chata’ used for the word sin verse Psalm 119:11 NKJV, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” We might read it like this, “I have hidden your word in my heart so that I won’t miss it and sin.” This made me think of a friend whom I heard say something inappropriate to his wife. As soon as he said it, he softly spoke the words, Oh, oh. I’ve just blown it.

Worrying is chata’—it’s missing the mark. It’s a sin. When we worry, we chata’—we miss it. For many people, worry feels like compassion. I’ve been worried about you! Your upbringing may have taught you that to worry for someone is like an act of compassion. It’s not true. Its chata’—it’s missing the mark. Worrying does nothing but bring momentum to unbelief, which is the enemy of God. Unbelief strips faith from our lives. Worry strips faith from our lives.

Hebrews 11:6 NIV teaches us that without faith, it is impossible to please God…” Impossible—that’s a big word! We should take it seriously! As we read Mark 6:4-6, take note of two things you should never forget. First, unbelief—lack of faith, literally stopped Jesus from doing miracles. Secondly, Jesus marveled at how strong the unbelief of the people was. Let’s read it! Mark 6:4-6 (NIV) “Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” He could not do any miracles there except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith…”

Have you ever had to unclog a clogged drain? What you pull out is disgustingly gross! Worry is just like one of those disgusting things that clogs. It hinders the power of God from operating in our lives because of the inherent power of unbelief. Unbelief is really faith. It’s faith in what the devil can do rather than faith in what God can do. Think about it. You’ve probably heard someone speak these words. Oh, I just know they are going to downsize my company, and I’ll lose my job, or Oh I am so afraid I am going to get the flu this winter! or I’m never going to find the right person who will love and respect me. All the good ones are taken! or I know I’ll get a stupid cold. I always do! Worry is the down payment—or faith in the very thing you dread coming. It’s the payment of unbelief, which is faith in what the devil will bring against you. This is why God instructed us through His Word, saying, “Cast all your anxiety (cares and worries) on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)

So, if worry is a sin, what is the solution to worry? Put a stake through your worries! The stakes are the promises of God. The promises of God are demolishers of unbelief. Taking them into your heart will, over time, strengthen your mind, strengthen your heart, and transform you from a worrier to a prayer and proclaimer of your faith in Him! You’ll be one who puts your stake in the ground and takes hold of what Jesus died to give you—your spiritual inheritance in Him. You will become one who learns to say with confidence, “…For God has said, “I will never, never fail you nor forsake you. That is why we can say without any doubt or fear, “The Lord is my Helper, and I am not afraid of anything that mere man can do to me.” Hebrews 13:5-6 (TLB)

Instead of worrying about the multitude of negative situations that try to rain on our lives, cast the cares one by one on the Lord. Rise up in faith and prayer and say, Father, I will not miss the mark by worrying about any of these negative situations. I will pray and put my trust in you. I’ll be attentive to you leading me in my steps. I trust that you are my defender and my ever-present help in times of trouble! And I’ll praise you because I know you love me and care about even the smallest details of my life. Instead of worrying, I will discuss them with you through the eyes of faith and with the promises you give me to proclaim in prayer! Thank you for building my faith. Thank you for your precious promises. Thank you for allowing me to lay them at your feet and walk forward in peace, trusting you! In Jesus name, I pray!

This is putting God’s promises to work, which is hitting the mark! This is the exercise of faith that is pleasing to God! Do this, and you won’t be guilty of worrying or of hindering God’s power. No chata’ for you today. As 1 Peter 5:7 (TLB) says, “Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.” Instead, proclaim His goodness in your life. Sing His praises. Let faith and praise arise!