Lack of Trust

Among Some Muslim Believers

Friday, April 23, 2021

Hamda was Muslim and lived in a country that was almost all Muslim. He put his faith in Christ. He was part of my theological education class. Yet, a problem kept nagging him: he could not trust fellow compatriots who had put their faith in Christ. He thought they were dishonest and had ulterior motives! He said he would never trust them. I spent so much time and energy praying with him and trying to convince him that the Holy Spirit who had changed his life had changed their lives too. No success.

This scenario is repeated time and again in many places. The enemy of our souls tries to plant fear and distrust in believers’ hearts so they avoid fellowship with other brothers and sisters. Some of this fear is caused by doubt as to whether the new believer is genuine or not. Plus, if a fellow convert turns their back on Christ, that causes disappointment and mistrust.

Yet, all this is not a reason to avoid fellowship with other believers or become distrusting of fellow converts.

Let us not forget that Jesus prayed for our unity, love, and fellowship together (Read John 17).

Prayer

Blessed are you, God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In your great mercy, and through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, you have given us new birth into a living hope (1Peter 1:3-4). Thank you.

I ask that Muslims, too, may experience your great mercy and the power of resurrected life in Christ. May many of them this week enter into this new life.

Holy God, for those who are troubled by distrust and misgivings about fellow believers, I pray that you will take them to your inner sanctuary and reveal to them hidden defects in their own heart and attitude. May they see their own shortcomings. Then take them to the cross and cleanse them from all those flaws.

Help born-again believers from Islam love one another as you love us. May they realize that they need to be one in your beloved Son.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Promise

The LORD will answer when I call to him (Psalm 4:3, NLT).