Tag Archives: trust

Have Faith

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Have faith in God.  Mark 11:22

 

He alone is my rock and my salvation. Psalm 62:2

 

Faith. It’s what you trust, believe in, put your full confidence in, and your hope. But it’s not enough to say to someone, “Have faith,” as if it were a ‘good luck’ wish.  Faith can be misplaced in a lot of things. We could have faith in cramming for a test, but it is an unlikely strategy for success. We can put our faith in healthy living but it alone does not prevent cancer.  We can put our faith in fetishes, statues, and icons, but with what tongues would they speak to us? We can put faith in karma, that what goes around also comes around. That reminds me of the man and wife and went to heaven. Standing before the Pearly Gates she says to him, “George, whatever you do, don’t insist on getting everything you deserve!”

 

But wait. Jesus said that if we had even a tiny amount of faith we could move mountains. Because of the centurion’s faith a child was healed. By faith a blind man’s sight was restored. By faith we are saved, not by works. There is a difference between putting our faith in people, things, or empty ‘religions’ and putting our faith in God. Jesus said, “Have faith in God.”

 

Doesn’t having faith in God mean you get what you want, like that verse that says He will give you the desires of your heart? Can’t we just gather 2 or 3 people together, add “in the name of Jesus” at the end of our prayer with confidence we will get exactly what we asked for?  Not quite. Even a child learns that saying ‘please and thank you’ are not always the ‘magic’ words.

 

Having faith in God means having confidence in who He is, that He will always be true to His character. It means trusting Him completely. (It’s not saying, “God I trust you, but in case things don’t work out the way I like, I’m keeping my back-up plan.”) It means agreeing with the psalmist who wrote, “(God) alone is my rock and my salvation.” In the movie The Mummy, the weasel-like character Beni tries to placate the resurrected Egyptian Imhotep with all kinds of talismans, hoping one might work. It’s like the actress who described her faith as, “A bit from Christianity, a little from Buddhism, and some New Age thinking,” as if faith works like a buffet line at the local restaurant.   We scoff at such foolishness but I wonder, don’t we often put the ‘gods’ of wealth, work, family, and our natural abilities to succeed above the One and only true God?

 

By faith in God we understand, persevere, overcome, and rejoice. By faith all things are possible, not easy, but possible. Have faith in God. Even a small faith, when nurtured grows to maturity.

 

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23

 

 

The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy

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In the passages preceding the end of Hebrews 12, we have been urged to run the race unhindered by sin and distraction, to fix our eyes on Jesus, to remain strong, and to be diligent in pursuing peace and holiness. We don’t do these things in order to get God to do something for us. We do them as an outpouring of our trust in Him and in celebration of the work He is in fact already doing in us.

 

When I was growing up, the church was regarded as a sacred place. Everything in the sanctuary seemed to be serious with no room for frivolity. It was a big mistake to regard this environment as anything but holy. In a way, it was like Mount Sinai. People approached this holy mountain with fear, lest they be destroyed. Even Moses trembled with fear in His approach. (Deut. 9:19)  Many approach God this way, regarding Him as a harsh judge who expects perfection and punishes those who fall short.

 

Today, the church environment is more relaxed; some might say too much so. None the less, the intended message is a beneficial one: Welcome. Come as you are. Come meet Jesus and find peace with God. This is akin to our approaching Mount Zion, “the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,” the place where angels rejoice and the church of those whose names are written in heaven.  We come to this mountain, not only to meet God the judge but also Jesus the mediator of the new covenant. (Hebrews 12:22-24)

 

God’s children approach our Heavenly Father, certainly with reverence and trepidation, but not in trembling fear of His wrath. We approach Him at His invitation in the confidence that comes with being His beloved children, heirs to His kingdom. We listen when He speaks to us (v 25).  And while God will once again shake the earth and even the heavens, we are receiving a kingdom that cannot and will not be shaken. In this fragile life, everything can be shaken: the ground beneath our feet, our health, our relationships, our finances and possessions, even the thoughts of our mind. Where on earth do we find security? But God promises that His children who trust Him need not be shaken, even if all the earth and heavens are shaken.  (v 26-27)

 

When everything else comes crumbling down around you, do you have a trusting faith that remains unshaken? It comes from and it yields itself to thanksgiving. That is our natural response to such a gift of grace. Our God IS a consuming fire (v 29): one that destroys all that stands against Him but also a fire that refines as gold is purified in the heat of the cauldron. Come to God’s mountain of joy and live thankfully, worshiping Him throughout each day.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”

Hebrews 12:28-29

 

 

The ‘downward’ path of revival

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When someone who was alive suffers a devastating death-blow, the medical personnel will (unless a “no resuscitate” order was given) attempt to revive them, to bring them back to life.

 

But what about your spiritual being? Have you ever sensed that you had fallen asleep and had become nearly dead to your spiritual life? Have you ever said, “That’s okay. Do not resuscitate. I’m busy with other things just now.” Or have you felt a desperate and growing hunger to dig deeper in your spiritual life and bring it back to life? At times like those your spiritual heart, the center of your being, is telling you it is time for revival. It’s time to dig deeper and concentrate on the purpose of your life, while there is still time to live.

 

No matter where you are in your spiritual journey, there remains more progress to be made and more satisfaction to be enjoyed. Sometimes, we look at the journey and faint away, fearing the path that God may take us down will be too hard. Like a heart patient needing surgery, we say, “Change my heart O God, but please work a miracle so I don’t need to go through surgery and painful recovery.” Even those who do trust God, who know His plan always works toward our good, sometimes experience this nagging doubt when trials come around. There is this wondering, “How painful will His solution be and how long will it take?”

 

The path to revival always starts with pain. It cannot be avoided. It begins with a difficult hike along the downhill path of acknowledgment and confession of our prideful self, and the faithful vow to turn away from self and toward God, our refuge. Before “Change my heart O God” always comes “Take my heart, O God.” Revival doesn’t come until we realize how desperately we need God and how hopeless our life is in our own control. As someone said, “Revival is not the top blowing off, but the bottom falling out.”

 

Where are you? Have you come to that place where you realize that, on your own, you will continue to fall into the same wrong thinking and bad habits? Have you realized that spiritual revival is quite unsustainable in our own thinking? Let God know. Ask Him to help you rely on Him, to trust Him to give you courage, wisdom, and strength to go His way.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
And sustain me with a willing spirit.
Psalm 51:10-12

 

 

Talking to God about grief

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C.S. Lewis speaks of his experience of grief. I appreciate his sincerity and honesty. His wife’s suffering and death affected him deeply, taking him through a journey where, to his experience, God *seems* to change. What a frightening experience when we see only through a veil. What comfort is offered when we are able to see more clearly.
Lewis, grieving the death of his wife, Joy:

 

“Meanwhile, where is God? This is one of the most disquieting symptoms. When you are happy, so happy that you have no sense of needing Him, so happy that you are tempted to feel His claims upon you as an interruption, if you remember yourself and turn to Him with gratitude and praise, you will be—or so it feels—welcomed with open arms. But go to Him when your need is desperate, when all other help is vain, and what do you find? A door slammed in your face, and a sound of bolting and double bolting on the inside. After that, silence. You may as well turn away. The longer you wait, the more emphatic the silence will become. There are no lights in the windows. It might be an empty house. Was it ever inhabited? It seemed so once. And that seeming was as strong as this. What can this mean? Why is He so present a commander in our time of prosperity and so very absent a help in time of trouble?

 

I tried to put some of these thoughts to C. this afternoon. He reminded me that the same thing seems to have happened to Christ: ‘Why hast thou forsaken me?’ I know. Does that make it easier to understand?

 

Not that I am (I think) in much danger of ceasing to believe in God. The real danger is of coming to believe such dreadful things about Him. The conclusion I dread is not ‘So there’s no God after all,’ but ‘So this is what God’s really like. Deceive yourself no longer.’”

From A Grief Observed
Compiled in A Year with C.S. Lewis

 

Lewis didn’t lose his faith in God, but he faced many honest and difficult questions. How about you? What is your God really like? Is He a gracious and loving God even when you don’t feel it? Is He sufficient for your needs only when you feel they are all met? Or can you find satisfaction in His perfect plan even when it doesn’t seem to make any sense? He is waiting to talk with you about your questions.

Mr. Fix-it

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The bible never says, “Figure it out.” But it always says, “Trust God.” He is the one who has already figured it out.

 

It’s been often noted that men are not usually as quickly inclined to empathy and understanding as women generally are. We men tend to like to (try to) solve problems.  We take pride in being “Mr. Fix-It.” No doubt that if we were to seek to improve our sensitivity to understanding, that our problem solving would improve! There’s nothing wrong with seeking solutions to problems. But, as author Sarah Young observes, it can be so addicting! It’s as if we are so inclined to try to solve problems in our own thinking first (“Let ME do it”), and then when we’ve messed up, to ask God to rescue us. And besides, some problems do not lend themselves to a “Mr. Fix-it” approach. Whether it is our own pride or that we forget about God’s presence that keeps us inclined to do things on our own, we are better of course to go to God FIRST and seek His counsel and help.

 

One of His names, Immanuel, means “God with you.” Jesus promises, “Surely, I am with you til the end of the age.” (Mt. 28:20) It is one of the great mysteries that Paul writes about, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col. 1:27) When I meditate on God’s many wondrous attributes, I am blown away by His grace in allowing us to approach Him at any time. (Try insisting on a spontaneous audience at 1600 Pennsylvania and see how that works! Or phoning the president…just because you want to chat.) But Almighty God, Creator of the universe, the one who knows the names of all the stars and yet designed and knows you personally – HE is always with you, and eager to invite you into His presence. No wonder the prophet says, “Though (EVERYthing goes wrong), YET I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be joyful in God, My Savior.” (Hab. 3:17-18)

 

What problems are you wrestling with? In what areas is it seem hard to trust God? Why not turn them ALL over to God’s provident care? Trusting in Him fully means rejoicing in Him and His perfect plan…and time line. Is this easy? No way. Is our way any better? Absolutely no way. Let’s trust the one who knows the way.

Unshakable

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Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28-29

What do you see when you look in the mirror? An athlete, a thinker, an artist, a writer, a provider? Mother, father, son, daughter? You have been created with certain attributes that make you unique. But they aren’t all that you are. What do you see when your strength is gone, when your creative thinking is impaired or memory lost?  When relationships are severed by hurts or by death?

 

When we lived in Australia years ago, we became friends with a lady who lived down the street from us. I forget the reason but we stayed a night at her father’s house which offered a peaceful retreat for us. Margaret’s dad was known for his intellectual acuity.  As I recall, he had taught in the university and spoke five languages fluently. . . until he had a stroke. Now he was left without speech and physically impaired. Whether he still comprehended all those languages in his mind and just couldn’t express them, I don’t know. But he was obviously a changed man with a new identity. But despite the losses, there was something about him that was not stirred. His calm, peaceful, and welcoming nature remained unshaken. Imagine losing so much and retaining what really mattered.

 

The reality is that you and I live in a world that is easily shaken. Natural disasters, financial calamities, physical and mental illnesses, and relationships all strike quickly and unexpectedly ravish our minds and hearts, our bodies and possessions. Our very identities are shaken too. But we don’t have to be left without hope. If you have sincerely and whole heartedly taken on the identity of a devoted follower of Christ, something remains that circumstances cannot shake. Hope, love, compassion, mercy, faith.

 

A personal relationship with Jesus brings a kingdom and identity that cannot be shaken. Our peace of mind can be threatened but not overcome if our identity is truly in Jesus, and not the other things we typically see in the mirror.  No matter how frightening the storm around you bellows, no matter how devastating the disaster falls upon you, no matter what has been stripped away or is consumed in your life, focus on what remains: Faith, Hope, Love.

 

You belong to an unshakable kingdom. Put your whole trust in this one unshakable truth and find peace in the middle of whatever storms come your way.

Fretting is good…for repairing guitars

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If you repair guitars it could be helpful to know something about fretting. It is useful for producing quality tones on the instrument. But the kind of fretting the rest of us tend to do is not helpful for anything except creating ulcers and resentment. It’s called worry.

The Lord Almighty who created all the universe with His spoken command, the One who created everything out of nothing, the One who chose you before the foundations of the earth were laid…this same gracious, loving, holy, powerful, just, all-knowing, wise, sovereign and glorious ‘El Roi’ God sees you where you are. The question is do we trust a sovereign God? Or do we feel more comfortable trusting ourself?

If we trust God, we have nothing to worry about, do we? After all, He knows best and has the best interest of His children at heart. If he chooses suffering and hardship to bring us into that better plan it will be for our good. If we choose our own hardship, He promises to bring us through it if we turn to Him. We earthly parents do the same, however imperfectly. He promises He will never abandon us and that our pain, sorrow, and suffering will one day end and produce glory. If we really believe it, what is there to be anxious about?

But we still worry, don’t we? We don’t need to beat ourself up because a worrying thought comes across our mind. The question is, what do we do with it? Do we dismiss it and turn it quickly over to God or do we dwell on it? Do we determine its fate or does it determine ours? Take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5) I like the mental image of handcuffing that wrong thought and marching it into God’s courtroom. Let Him deal with it.

I admit, I have lots of questions. When will my leukemia be cured? What might cause it to take a turn for the worse? Will we get to carry on with plans to minister in South America? Will my finances hold out? How do I fulfill God’s will when I am so weak? I’m guessing you have lots of questions about your life too. Questions are great. They bring us to God.

But when questions turn and churn into worry, fear grows and interferes with trusting God. We start to think His way is too hard or start thinking OUR way is better than His. (Talk about irrational thinking!)

Jesus said repeatedly, don’t worry. Maybe we should just take Him at His Word. And when we start fretting about something, reaffirm our trust in the One who is sovereign, who has our best interest at heart. “I believe, Lord. Help me in my unbelief.”

Leave fretting to the guitar repairers.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Hope and joy go together

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“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12

Why does joy accompany hope? Hope sees beyond the struggles of the present moment. Through trustful eyes of faith hope is assured of another reality to the one we currently experience. We may experience true sorrow or persistent pain now, but it will not always be that way. It may seem we are all alone in our suffering and that there is no way out, but true hope experiences the sustaining presence of God in the most difficult of times. Real joy is not the effervescent giddiness that brings a plastic smile to our face. Rather the very nature of real joy bears a contentment and peace that counters our present pain.

Sometimes we hope in earthly outcomes that align us and others with God. Always our hope is also filled with the reminder of our eternal outcome which is filled with joy greater than perhaps we can fully comprehend. The reality of the christian experience reminds us we are aliens and strangers in this land. We won’t be here forever. Our suffering and disappointments will not last forever. As we walk closer to God we see the world as Jesus sees it:
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

We need this reminder do we not? The troubles of this world sometimes seem so real and so permanent, they would lead us to hopelessness. But when we are one with the one who has overcome this world, we have real hope that brings joy and peace. Examine your anxious thoughts and fretful activities today. Turn them under the control of a real and lasting hope in a world that is already overcome and find the peace and joy that you were meant to find.

The Price Of Worry

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What kind of a car passenger are you? I am often the passenger these days and I have nothing to worry about. My wife is a very safe driver with almost a perfect 45 year driving record. And yet not being in control (or thinking I am), I find my foot sometimes seems to press to the passenger side floorboard when we draw close to a car in front of us or come to a stop a little too quickly. I don’t want to admit it, but it is a form of worry.

Worry is an unproductive type of stress. At best, unproductive stress dampens the spirit of joy that God offers; at worst, it shortens our lives. I wonder how many seconds or minutes of life are given up to fretting uselessly about small things: Will I be able to get to the store, will the store have any bread left, will I get home in time? And of course, the famous, “What if?” and “what will others think?” The list goes on and on, doesn’t it?

Author Sarah Young comments that “worry is a form of rebellion.” By worrying, we rebel against our trust in own ability, our trust in others, and our trust in God.

The opposite of worry is assurance. And assurance is built on trust. We trust in ourselves, our abilities, our circumstances, our finances, our health, our God. (Hint: One of these is always trustworthy.) When you worry, what (or who) are you not trusting? Family, friends, and coworkers, God? I think we all realize how fleeting some of these are. Having lived a very healthy life, I would never have guessed I would be suddenly diagnosed with Leukemia. Health, work, finances, even daily relationships are suddenly and significantly affected. Some in this situation, or similar, have come to a point where it seemed pointless to trust God.

But faith brings hope and light to a dark world. Faith is the assurance of a good outcome even in a bad situation. Charles Spurgeon wrote, “A little faith will bring your soul to heaven. A great faith will bring heaven to your soul.”

Here’s to putting down worry and picking up peace and assurance!

“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” Isaiah 32:17

“My grace is sufficient for you.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9