What hinders faith?

As I wake up this morning in New York City visiting my son and his wife, I find my dreams have raised up a question in my soul.

What hinders faith?

or

What motivates faith?

I was reading in Exodus 6:1-9 about the testing of faith that came when Moses began his ministry. All that the Word of God created was persecution and oppression. There was no deliverance or salvation. Life only became harder instead of better because of God's prophet and presence. In response God speaks to Moses and by means of Moses the promises of His love and purpose. He assures them that they will be saved and delivered from their slavery in Egypt.

They did not listen to the good news that day. Why? I was struck by the text. They did not listen because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery. They were absorbed by their misery and the were literally "out of breath" or "out of spirit". We all know what it is like to run until we are "out of breath" and then we stop. We simply cannot take another step in that condition. We cannot be motivated to run when we are "out of breath."

What had caused this "shortness of spirit"? They had just had their hopes of being delivered by Moses crushed and this feeling of disappointment was not moved by the Word of God. They also lived day in and day out in a very hard circumstances. They were slaves. That reality made it hard for them to be motivated to believe in the Word of God that spoke of freedom. They also feared the king. To believe in what God was saying would anger the king of Egypt and bring on them more woe. To believe put them at practical risk. I think we can all understand why it was hard for them to listen that day.

How about today for you and me? When the Holy Spirit comes to us and sings to us about the love of God in Christ Jesus today what causes us to not respond in faith. Are we suffering from "shortness of spirit" ? Do our circumstances enslave us? Are we afraid of what faith might cost us?

What hinders our faith?

and


What motivates us to believe?

I think it is important we ask these questions. I think it is important we start finding answers to these questions. What do you think? What are your answers to these questions?

Please leave a comment, I would love to know your ideas and feelings on these questions.