Monday Morning Devotion-August 22, 2016
The Unwavering Line of Influence
And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised: who shut the mouth of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength and who became powerful in battle and routed armies. Hebrews 11:32-34
People are quick to tell us we are too old or our "window of opportunity has passed." Or maybe they say "you're too young" or wait 'til you get more experience before you tackle something like this.
You know what your answer to that should be? The same as Ebenezer Scrooge's was: "Bah Humbug." That's before the ghosts got ahold of Scrooge in "Dickens Christmas Carol." They convinced him that changing his ways was not humbug-ish but just the opposite…humbling-ish.
When difficulties arise and things seem hopeless we must remember that we have an "unwavering fence line of influence" there for us. You know how we always seek out examples of how others have handled similar problems when we are deciding what to do?
Well, faith is the answer when we call on the Lord and that unwavering fence line of influence for the way faith has worked for others can be found in Hebrews 11. Appropriately labeled the "faith" chapter it provides an exhaustive list of those whose faith was rewarded.
It starts off with these words: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. Then most of the next 27 verses starts off with the words: "By faith,…
Then each one talks about specific people in the Bible whose faith was rewarded.
You know the list…it includes Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, etc.
The commentary says; "Faith is the conviction based on past experience that God's new and fresh surprises will surely be ours.'
It goes on to point out that two words describe faith: "sure" and "certain. These two qualities need a secure beginning and ending point. The beginning point of faith is believing in God's character---He is who He says. The end point is believing in God's promises ---He will do what He says. When we believe that God will fulfill His promises even though we don't see those promises materializing, yet we demonstrate true faith.
In John 20, Jesus told Thomas, who did not believe He had risen from the grave until he saw Him in person: "Because you have seen me you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
That's us. We are the ones who have never seen Jesus up close and in person but we have believed anyway. Jesus wasn't too hard on Thomas. He realized that some people have to doubt before they believe.
The commentary says: "If doubt leads to questions and questions lead to answers, and the answers are accepted, then doubt has done good work." If doubt leads to stubbornness and a person refuses to believe and it becomes a life-style then doubt harms faith.
Some people say they could believe in Jesus if they could see some sign of Him or witness a miracle. Jesus says that we are blessed if we can believe without seeing.
So we proceed on thru Chapter 11 on down thru 31 verses and then we read…what more can I tell you. Hey we don't have all day. Then the author, whoever that is---no one is sure---kind of summarizes the lives of other great people of faith, telling snippets of their faith-based success.
Having a steadfast faith in God does not guarantee a happy, carefree life. It could and probably will come with some form of abuse from the world. We way not understand the purpose of our suffering when it occurs. But we do know that God will keep His promises and that comforts us.
James, the brother of Jesus, says: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." James 1:5-6.
The wisdom part of James' advice means not only knowledge, but the ability to make wise decisions in difficult circumstances. We can pray when we need wisdom and God promises that He will generously supply it. The commentary says: as Christians "we don't have to grope around in the dark hoping to stumble upon answers. We can ask for God's wisdom to guide our choices."
When we are called on to believe and not doubt it means that we are not only "believing in His existence, but His loving care as well." We need to drop any critical attitude when we come to Him. We must realize that He doesn't grant every thoughtless or selfish request. We must be confident that God will align our desires with his purposes. (Commentary on James 1:6).
When our mind wavers it shows that we are not completely convinced that God's way is the best or that we even fully know what His way is in that particular situation. We are familiar with the need sometimes to reject or disregard human advice.
A wavering or uncertain mind "vacillates between allegiance to subjective feelings, the world's ideas and God's commands." When this happens we must ask Him for wisdom. He will not withhold it. He will grant it.
When in doubt return to that unwavering fence line of influence…your faith. And if you need a reminder of how faith can work in your life return to the faith chapter…Hebrews 11...and review all the many examples of the rewards of true faith in God.
Prayer: Lord God, help us trust you and seek you so that our faith will win out over the problems and difficult decisions in life. Amen!
***author's note: May your faith-filled week bring you much happiness.