“You don’t believe me!”

I’m afraid to admit that I say these words pretty often. But even more often, I hear others saying them! In fact, I was watching a TV show last weekend and observed these words being spoken between friends. The result? A fight broke out and the friends were driven apart.

It hurts when we realize someone close to us doesn’t believe us. Friendships are often broken up by this, and it is a leading cause of divorce.

Since this “You don’t believe me!” Is so often heard, I had to ask myself just how a Christian react to them. The answer came that same evening when I opened God’s Word: “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” (Matt 1:18-19 NIV)

Wait a minute! “You don’t believe me!” Is at the core of the Christmas story!

Imagine yourself as Mary. You have been chosen by God to “be with child through the Holy Spirit.” You have never known any man. You have been faithful to the man you are engaged to and now you have to face him to tell him that you are pregnant. I can picture the discussion going something like this:

“Pregnant! I haven’t even touched you! Who did this to you?”

“Honey I told you, an angel appeared and told me that I would be with child from God’s Holy Spirit.”

“Do you think I’m stupid, Mary? This is nonsense! This is impossible! Stop making up lies! Face the truth, you have been unfaithful!”

Can you blame Joseph for his disbelief?

It is interesting to note, however, that Mary’s response is never “You don’t believe me!” Nowhere does she take it in her hands to prove her innocence, even though Joseph, not wanting to “expose her to public disgrace”, decides “to divorce her quietly”.

But why doesn’t she defend herself? After all, she hadn’t done anything wrong! Why won’t Joseph believe her? Because she decided to wait upon the Lord instead. And the Lord came through for her! What was humanly impossible, God did: He convinced Joseph that Mary told him the truth:

“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.'” (Matt 1:20-21 NIV)

Whenever we wait on the Lord, God always come through for us!

“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.” (Matt 1:24-25 NIV)

What should we do when we are falsely accused? What should we do if we have to face the “You don’t believe me!” Syndrome?

The answer is simple: Nothing! Don’t take it in your hands to rectify the situation. You will turn it into a bigger mess. Wait on the Lord and listen to His response.

Moses learned the hard way not to take things into his own hands. He wrote the following when he was 80 years old: “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Ex 14:14 NIV)

What does God do when we are in a bind?

He fights for us! “He is my defense; I shall not be moved.” (Ps 62:6 NKJV)

The entire Christmas story is a story of “You don’t believe me!” Joseph didn’t believe Mary. People didn’t believe Jesus. Mary felt rejected. Jesus was rejected and cruelly crucified. However Jesus Himself never stopped believing in you! Others may not believe in you, but Jesus does! You are so important to Him that He would have been willing to die just for you!

Why?

Because He believes in you!

Isn’t it time we stop chasing after ghosts? Isn’t it time to bring real meaning into our life? Jesus believes in you!

“My choice is you, GOD, first and only. And now I find I’m your choice!” (Ps 16:5 The Message)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28 NIV)

Will you believe in the One who believes in you?

Rob Chaffart