Daily Devotional – 12/11/18 “But what do you believe?”

I saw an episode of #Blackish where Dre (the dad) was serving on a jury that had to decide the fate of a young man, I believe for stealing. While in the jury room, Dre was adamant the young man was innocent but all the others were convinced he was guilty. In fact, they had their mind made up before the door was even closed. Yet Dre fought, every day, being the only not guilty vote. Yet as days went on, he started to believe what the others in the room were saying and on the last day, when they voted, he was the only one who voted guilty. The others finally started to believe what Dre was saying, even if it took it being restated by someone else, however they’d already worn Dre down. Due to this, he’d convinced himself that he had to be wrong. But what do you believe? It doesn’t matter about who’s in the room, what do you believe. When no one else is on your side, what do you believe? If it means losing, what do you believe? In Mark 8, Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do men say I am?” They replied verse 28, “And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.” In which Jesus replies, “But who do you say I am?”

Jesus knew what man thought but He needed to know what those who were with Him daily believed. See, it’s one thing to have those in the world believe something about you but it’s entirely different when it’s those you live with, eat with, sleep with and etc. I can take folk, over there, believing one thing but what do you believe, the one who I see every day. I can accept folk, who may not know me, to believe lies and rumors but you, the one who is with me all the time; you should know my character. I can halfway accept folk talking about me, who only know me through social media but you, the one who really knows me; what do you believe. After you weighed everything, what do you believe? After you’ve viewed the evidence, what do you believe? I know the opinion of pastor, sister, cousin and friend nem but what do you believe and will you stick to your beliefs. I know it may mean you won’t fit in out but what do you believe. You may even be talked about but what do you believe? Will you uphold your beliefs even in a room of unbelievers? Will you stand strong in your faith even if nobody at the table does? Bible shares in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”