Daily devotion – Lord help our unbelief.
Mark 16:9–11
“Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.”
The disciples were a crumpled mess at Jesus’ death—and they were still in deep sorrow three days later. Their grief had not lifted. Their hope had not returned.
But then Mary Magdalene came with astonishing news: she had seen Jesus alive. He had risen from the dead.
How did the disciples receive her report?
They went right back to their weeping.
Why? Because of the thief of unbelief.
Maybe today you are weeping.
Your body is hurting.
Your business feels like it’s collapsing.
Your relationships are strained or breaking apart.
Yet none of these are the true source of your tears.
How can that be?
Because our Lord and Saviour has already told us that all things are working together for good for those who love Him.
Because He has commanded us to give thanks in all things.
Because He has given us promise after promise that He is with us and will never forsake us.
It is not your job, your marriage, your family, your finances, or even your health that ultimately cause your tears.
It is the thief of unbelief.
If the disciples had believed Mary’s testimony, they would have moved—like Mary—out of sorrow and into ecstasy. Instead, they chose not to believe and remained under their grief longer than they needed to, allowing unbelief to steal their joy—just like a thief.
Yes, it is true that a little faith will get you to Heaven.
But a strong faith will bring Heaven to you.
You will experience Heaven in your heart to the degree that you believe the Lord is alive, that He is faithful, and that everything in your life is unfolding exactly as He has promised.