Faith Redefined

But Naaman was furious and went away and said, Behold, I thought, he will surely come out to meet me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. 2 Kings 5:11 (New American Standard Bible)

Expectations, perceptions, and preconceived ideas can do more to wreak havoc with our walk of faith than anything I know. I can very easily relate with Naaman. He has come to Samaria with a scenario playing out in his mind of what his own healing would look like. But upon arriving at Elisha’s house his ego, thoughts, and agenda all take a massive blow. What should have been a ‘done deal’ has become as muddy in his mind as the Jordan River itself. He cannot conceive of the fact that neither God nor Elisha are acting the way he thought they would or should. As he erupts in anger and storms off, he fails to realize that he is risking his own healing because of his own mindset.

As I read through 2 Kings I am struck by the fact that God is not limited in power or variety. He refuses to be put into an understandable, easy to grasp box! His ways and thoughts are far above my own and that has caused me to rethink and redefine my beliefs about faith. It is not a matter of me bringing my petitions before God and believing He will give me what I want, in the way I want it, and when I want it. My one-dimensional thinking of who God is and how God acts is presently going through a metamorphosis of great proportion.

While God certainly encourages and invites me to bring my requests, wishes, and desires to Him, I must keep in mind that He is still God and He is free to be good, loving, and right in how He responds to my prayers. His Word, His character, and His heart of love are the basis for when and how He chooses to intervene. Why would I want to limit Him to only operate in the way I THINK He should? Faith now becomes an act whereby I bring my requests to Him and then with childlike trust and expectancy watch to see what HIS choice is. If I allow this to be my heart’s desire, I will find that more times than not He will go above and beyond what I could imagine.

Father, let me take away the box in which I have spent years trying to get You to fit. Thank you for helping me to see where I have been limiting You. I now let go of my preconceived notions and am ready to embrace the truth about You. Amen.

You're Still God - Kathy Troccoli
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvclzwpAMxg

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

The Price Tag for Unbelief

And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time. Luke 1:20 (New American Standard Bible)

The price for Zacharias’ unbelief was high! He would remain silent (unable to verbally communicate) until Elizabeth would give birth to their son. That would be nine months or possibly longer depending on when she actually conceived. As a person who LOVES to talk, I look at this and I instantly go into a panic mode! The ramifications are huge! He would not be able to say anything out loud at all. Not even in his prayers. The silence on his part would be a constant reminder that God’s words would be fulfilled. I take comfort in the fact that his unbelief did not cause God to cancel his plans all together. And I take comfort in the fact that the fulfillment of God’s promises is in HIS time.

But I am asking myself if in this day and age we also pay a high price for our unbelief. The answer I am getting is YES! No matter what the circumstance in our life, unbelief has a price. It is usually exacted in sleepless nights, ulcers, tension headaches, bitterness, bottled up anger, loss of joy, and souls that lack peace, contentment, and security. We often think the circumstances and people in our life bring these things on, but that is not true! It ultimately comes down to what I believe about God and His care of me.

My interpretation of events in my life take on a whole new look when I realize everything that comes into my life is first filtered through the mind, heart, and hands of God. There are countless verses that I must speak over my life in order to get the right perspective of things. No matter how unfair something seems, how unkind someone acts, how unclear the path ahead looks, how misjudged I may be, or how uncomfortable life becomes, I am not an exception to the promises God gives me in His Word.

I have a choice in the midst of waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled to me. I can review His character and rest in His love or I can go through the time with uncomfortable consequences for my unbelief. There is a part of this journey that depends on what I choose to do. God is faithful no matter what!

Father, keep teaching me the truth about Your work, Your promises, and Your word. May my pathway be filled with joy as I wait on You. Amen.

I Have a Hope - Tommy Walker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSbJtqYow3Q&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

What Stands in the Way?

Then Moses said to the LORD, "Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." Exodus 4:10 (New American Standard Bible)

When God called Moses to go to Egypt as His spokesperson and to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt, Moses had two responses that he felt stood in the way of God’s plan working. First, he pointed to the possibility that the people would not listen to him or believe God had really spoken to him. God’s response? Moses was given three miraculous signs to give as proof that God had spoken to him. Second, he presented his limitation of a speech impediment. He did not see himself as a great orator and believed that would stand in the way of the message he was to deliver. God’s response? I made the mouth and I know what I am doing. While Moses could see the problems he was missing the power that came from God alone.

Am I not guilty of the same thing every time I allow my thoughts and fears to stand in the way when it comes to sharing my faith? I can so easily focus on how I think others will respond and how I might not say things just right. I can then allow those fears to stop me from even opening my mouth. When that happens, I miss the truth of what God is able to do. The results of witnessing must always be left up to Him. He alone can open the ears, eyes, and hearts of individuals to receive truth about the gospel. He chooses to use us with all our weaknesses and limitations as sharers of the good news! Rather than be a hindrance to God, our inabilities showcase His power and might.

Just as in the case of Moses, God knows what He is doing and who He wants to use to do it. The more the weaknesses the more profoundly it is seen that the results are coming from Him. We are the ones who deem ourselves unqualified and unusable, NOT God! God wants us to see that He can use our experiences, failures, weaknesses, personalities, deficiencies, and handicaps as we share His Word to keep us dependent on Him. Will everyone listen to and accept what we tell them? No, just like Pharaoh and the Egyptians did not listen to Moses. That was not due to Moses’ lack of skill but rather their heart condition.

We often mistakenly think if people do not accept God’s message then we have failed at presenting it in the right way. Not true! We have only failed if we have failed to share!

Father, may my confidence to witness to others be found in You. May I begin opening my mouth and then trust You to work and accomplish things in ways that only You can. Amen.

How Great is Our God - Chris Tomlin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKLQ1td3MbE

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

When He Marvels

When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” Luke 7:9 (New King James Version)


And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. Mark 6:6 (New King James Version)

In all of the New Testament there are only two verses that reference Jesus marveling at something. In Mark 6:6 He marvels at unbelief and in Luke 7:9 He marvels at great faith. Unbelief and faith are polar opposites and yet Jesus responds to both in the same way…. He marvels. Quama/zw is the Greek word for marvel and it also means to wonder or be amazed. In other words, a person’s response to Jesus can evoke amazement in Him over ones faith or unbelief. It was true in Bible times and it is true in our times.

Each day I am given ample opportunities to respond in faith or unbelief toward God and my response has the potential to amaze Him. The question is not whether or not God is amazed but at what is He amazed. As I ponder that, a slew of questions begin formulating in my mind, as to how I will respond. Will it be with great faith or unbelief? When I see weaknesses in myself? When I am faced with a test or trial? When people are unavailable? When I am placed in a new situation? When life falls apart? When the future looks uncertain? When medical diagnoses are grim? When I am outside my comfort zone? When personal choices lead to painful consequences? When I am unable to control what I most want to control? When I don’t get my way? When others get what I want? When I do not see change in myself? When I sin? When life gets hard?

When I am faced with those or any other concerns the question becomes, “Which is greater, God or my issue?” In all honesty, is God still God? Is He still loving, in control, and watching over me? Is God able to do what He says He can do? Is He trustworthy?

I have spent the past couple of weeks in introspection and tonight I am determining that if God is going to marvel at anything in my life, I want it to be my faith rather than my unbelief. As a matter of fact, if I am going to marvel at anything in my life I want it to be my faith as well.


Father, the disciples once asked for their faith to be increased. I ask the same. May my faith increase to the point of causing You to marvel. May I get to the place of marveling over You and all You do. Amen.

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

What Others Have Seen

For I say to you, that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which you see, and did not see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them. Luke 10:24 (New American Standard Bible)

I remember, as a teenager, reading the account of Thomas doubting that Jesus had risen from the dead. When Jesus finally appeared to him, he believed. Jesus said to him that he believed because he saw it with his own eyes but blessed were those who believe in Him without seeing. That was the first time I had read a verse and knew the words were speaking about me! I had come to believe in Jesus and accept Him as my Savior without ever seeing Him with my physical eyes. Today’s verse is another example of His words being spoken about me and every other believer.

What we see and hear as believers on this side of the cross is what prophets and kings of the Old Testament wished to see and hear but weren’t able to. I believe this is because they did not have the complete Word of God available to them as we do today and they did not have the Holy Spirit permanently residing in them as we do. Those two factors alone set us apart from our spiritual ancestors.

Yet, if I am honest, I will admit there are some things others saw and heard in Old and New Testament times that I wish I could experience today. Some saw first hand the numerous miracles that God performed….deliverances, healings, victories. Some heard God speak to them in audible tones. Some had profound dreams and visions that were messages from God. As I have pondered these things, God has had to remind me on several occasions that I am to walk by faith and not by sight.

What does it take to walk by faith? Knowledge of God from His Word. A personal relationship with Him through Christ. Open and honest communication with Him through prayer. Obedience to His commands. Sensitivity and awareness of His still, small voice. Trust that He knows what is best and does what is best. Fixing my eyes on Him. Loving Him with all my heart, soul, and mind.

Will I do those things perfectly all the time? Not hardly, but I desire to. His grace, mercy, and forgiveness cover the times I fail. I take comfort in the fact that He is honing my walk of faith on a day by day basis. No matter what, His hands and His eyes have never been taken off me.

Father, I find solace in Your words to me this morning. With You I have a new day, a fresh start, and a multitude of possibilities. Improve my steps, Lord. Amen.

Everlasting God - Chris Tomlin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yubLGTOcm8c&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

From Questioning to Confident

And so it was, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, that he worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel, and said, “Arise, for the LORD has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand.” Judges 7:15 (New King James Version)

Gideon’s battle cry to the camp of Israel stunned me when I read it this morning! The word “has” caught my attention immediately. The battle against the camp of Midian had not yet taken place but Gideon was so confident of the outcome that he used a past tense verb phrase. THIS from a man who needed further proof after a visit from an angel. THIS from a man who put out not one, but two fleeces, because he struggled so much with self-doubt, fear and unbelief. THIS from a man who had just witnessed God shrink his army from 32,000 strong to 300 not so strong. THIS from a man who felt like less than the least in his nation and family. What happened?!

Gideon finally got it! God allowed him to overhear a conversation between two men from Midian as they talked about a dream and its interpretation (Judges 7:13,14). It was the “proof” he needed to bring about the courage and confidence he lacked. Once this took place he moved forward without a shred of doubt or apprehension. Can you hear the conviction in his voice as he calls his army to attention and lays out the battle plan? I not only hear it but I want it!

I want the confidence Gideon demonstrated but often feel more like pre-confident Gideon. Circumstances can make me wonder if I will make it. Personal weaknesses can cause me to doubt I will see victory in this life time. Past failures can continue to define my present walk. Perceptions can convince me others have given up on me. These are all links to a chain that encircles my life with much weight and noise! So where do I begin to dissemble the chain and walk in confidence?

For me, confidence will come as I lay hold of God’s promises in His Word. Promises of victory. Promises of Him never leaving me. Promises of His continual presence. Promises of His power. It will also come as I observe what He has done and continues to do in the lives of others (past and present). It will come through moments of prayer where I pour out my thanksgiving and thoughts to God. It will come as I depend more and more upon Him to do what I cannot do. It will come with remembering that Gideon’s confidence had very little to do with him and everything to do with the One who called him.

Father, strengthen me from the inside out. Change this questioning doubtful woman into a woman of dignity and confidence in You. Amen.

My Life Is In You, Lord
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0M0NALW7EM&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

The Exposing of Disbelief

Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, that he will come and attack me and the mothers with the children. Genesis 32:11(New American Standard Bible)

Twenty years had separated Jacob and Esau’s past and future. Jacob left home with a brother who was angry enough to kill him. No contact had been made between them in all that time. As far as Jacob was concerned, Esau was still seething with rage. He feared the worst…complete annihilation of himself and his family. Yet, this verse which houses his words of fear is sandwiched between his recollection of God’s promise to prosper him and his descendents. Jacob did what we so often can find ourselves doing…he voiced truth without embracing it. Fear rather than faith was what ruled him and fueled his actions.

As I read further in this passage, I see Jacob planning and plotting his own story of redemption (Genesis 32:20). His actions reveal to me his core belief: God needs my help to insure my safety. He cannot be trusted to do what He promised. It is up to me to defend myself. Jacob had learned early on to take matters into his own hands rather than place those matters into the hands of God and trust Him to do what is best. He proclaimed truth, prayed for deliverance, and then moved full speed ahead with his own agenda.

I am learning to listen to the conflicting statements I and others can make when referring to God and His ways. Whether spoken out loud or whispered in our heart, we can proclaim a truth about God and then follow it with thoughts and feelings that contradict what we just said. On the surface we believe God is loving, kind, and in control. Deep down inside we fear He is disinterested, angry, absent, and uninvolved. That we are low on His priority list. We do not see the big picture therefore we limit God and either begin to scheme or live with a sense of despair and hopelessness. Why do I say this? Because until I admit what is really going on in my heart and mind I will not be free to move beyond that way of living my Christian life….and neither will you.

God knows my insecurities and doubts. He knows what turns my trust to mush. He knows what disheartens and discourages me. He knows it all and He is using the hard places of this life to help me to see what to do with all of it. He longs to bring me to the place where what I say I believe is what I really believe. It is what I really live. Is it hard? Absolutely! I don’t like to see how far from life changing faith I am but God loves me too much to allow me to live any longer with deception. He is after my heart and desiring that I live in intimate relationship with Him. In order for that to happen, He has to expose and dismantle the falsehoods of my perceived faith. Authentic faith is the goal and He is the One who will get me to that point.

Father, keep showing me where my faith and my feelings collide. My steps are tenuous on this journey but I praise You when each one is taken. Amen.

Do I Trust You Lord - Twila Paris
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV1ZY7AWNdY

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Joshua Moments

And Joshua said, “Alas, Lord GOD, why have You brought this people over the Jordan at all---to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Oh, that we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan!” Joshua 7:7 (New King James Version)

Following an extraordinary victory at Jericho, the children of Israel are defeated at Ai. The confusion and fear of the moment caused words to tumble out of Joshua’s mouth that mirrored the responses he heard for years in the wilderness wanderings under Moses’ leadership. I am not sure if he ever voiced them at that time, but he now voices a prayer filled with suspicion and accusation against God. He has no idea Achan has sinned and brought this defeat upon Israel. Joshua is simply looking at a tragedy and in his mind he draws only one conclusion….and a wrong one at that! Never mind that God promised victory and demanded obedience for that victory to occur. Joshua has had his utopia shattered and his faith shaken. He is now faced with the reality that defeat is possible even in the midst of victories.

God is gracious. He listens as Joshua gives voice to the thoughts and intents of his heart and then God sets the record straight. He explains the reason for defeat and the conditions for victory. What follows is an immediate correction and Ai’s astounding defeat! I believe when it was all said and done, Joshua took away a valuable lesson from the entire experience. Who God is and what God does cannot be interpreted by the things we see, hear, feel, and experience. God is to be trusted not accused. He is to be held in awe not in suspicion. God’s blessings accompany obedience and painful consequences accompany disobedience. We are given the same opportunity to take away valuable lessons from our moments of hardship, fear, and failure. May we do so!

I praise God that Scripture is filled with human frailties, because my life is filled with them as well. There are moments I get it right and do it right. To God be the glory! But there are also moments when I blow it. Times when the circumstances of life send me reeling and I forget the very truths I stood in just prior to stumbling. I have laughed at the number of times I have read a previous devotional I have written and wished I were THAT person! Times when the words that flowed so easily and with confidence seem so far away. Times when I question God, despise myself, and wrongly judge others. The enemy would taunt me with feelings of failure and hypocrisy. But God is gracious. He calls me what I am…a human in continual need of His grace and mercy. With each “Joshua” moment He will meet me and change me. Praise Him!

Father, in the midst of my tears, doubts, and fears You remain faithful and loving. And in the midst of joy, faith, and courage You are still faithful and loving. I praise Your sameness! Amen.

You're the Heart of Me - Kathy Troccoli
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjXjOndUS7A&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Without Sight

Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29 (New King James Version)

I remember as a 14 year old, reading this verse for the very first time and seeing the personal significance. It was the first time I had read Scripture and knew it was talking about ME because I was one who had believed in Christ without seeing Him with my physical eyes. Now, three and a half decades later, I am seeing a new truth come alive to me as I once again read this verse.

The Bible says that God is good, works all things together for good, and has purposed good things for our life. It also says He makes roads in the wilderness, gives beauty for ashes, and is conforming us to image of His Son. Some of us, like Thomas, live with a “I have to see it to believe it” mentality. We hold out believing with abandon until we actually SEE what God is doing, how things will turn out, why things are happening, where God is taking us, and when whatever we are experiencing will be over with. When we can finally see what God is purposing and doing we then make our proclamations of faith in Him. In other words, we believe He is Who He says He is and can do what He says He can do when we see it with our own eyes.

Today’s verse can be a personal invitation to us if we allow it. Jesus is saying to each of us, “Believe Me even when you don’t yet see all that I am doing and why I am doing it. The blessing comes as you walk in confidence even without the full picture and all the answers knowing that My view is really the only view that counts.”

I joy in the fact that THAT is the kind of God I love and serve. No matter what is transpiring in my life, He can be trusted, depended upon, believed in, and followed whether or not I understand and see everything. He already knows the end of each story of my life and my confidence in Him does not have to be weakened in the slightest by what I do or don’t see with my physical eyes. Eternity will reveal ALL the things I may question now, but I don’t have to wait until then to take hold of His hand and walk with boldness now. As far as God is concerned, it is ALL a done deal now even before it has begun.

Father, You’ve seen the tears, fears, and questions of my heart countless times. Now may You see the kind of faith that brings blessing. Amen.

God Will Make A Way - Don Moen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RmdzX5XPpM

I welcome your questions and comments to any devotional thoughts. I am honored and delighted to share my journey with you and privileged to hear of yours.

Seeking Him

Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face continually. Psalm 105:4 (New American Standard Bible)

Someone once made the comment that I appear to be looking for something and haven’t quite found it yet. Their words struck me because they seemed to see this as a weakness. Yet, God assures me in His Word that seeking Him is not only a necessity but an invitation He extends to each of us. He knows our tendency to seek many things from many sources other than Himself and He longs for our searching to finally be directed toward Himself.

I found it interesting that there are two different Hebrew words used for “seek” in this verse. The first means to resort to and enquire of and the second means to desire to find. Both are necessary, for Jesus said to abide in Him, ask of Him, and love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind. He gave the ‘how to’ of today’s verse.

While God will not always show me what He is doing or why He is doing it, He longs to show me Himself. He longs for me to live each day with the realization of who He is and what His heart and character are like. I know what it is like to be passionate about knowing someone and being known by them. I know what it is like to want another person to affirm, accept, and welcome me. God invites me to bring that same passion to my seeking of Him. To pour my heart and life into knowing Him, being transparent before Him, and receiving His love and affection toward me. It is only as I do THAT kind of seeking that I will find myself anointed by His strength and might.

As I enter a new day (and a new year) my heart’s cry is that He would reveal Himself to me in more poignant ways. He does not limit the ways He will do that either. His Self revelations will come through His Word, music, other believers, books, nature, circumstances, solitude, and Spirit. He is an open book to any who would dare to look upon the pages of His heart. He doesn’t play a game of Hide and Seek with us, but rather seek and find! I rest and revel in that truth!

Father, I have often wearied myself with a searching heart. I now seek You and am assured I will find you and know You as I seek You with all my heart, soul, and mind. I love You and seek You with abandon. Amen.

An Interesting Poll

I received this email from a friend today. Maybe some of you have seen this already. The email was about an NBC POLL and read as follows:

Do you believe in God? NBC this morning had a poll on this question. They had the highest number of responses that they have ever had for one of their polls, and the percentage was the same as this: 86% to keep the words, IN GOD WE TRUST on our money and GOD in the Pledge of Allegiance. 14% against. That is a pretty ‘commanding’ public response. It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore, I have a very hard time understanding why there is such a mess about having “In God We Trust” on our money and having “God” in the Pledge of Allegiance. Why is the world catering to this 14%? Clyde McAdams

While I enjoyed seeing the results of this poll I was struck by some other thoughts. Even though this particular poll came out on the side for truth, I have read many other polls where the majority were just plain wrong. The reality, reliability, and trustworthiness of God is not contingent on a vote. God is who He says He is and can do what He says He can do whether the majority agree or disagree.

I am thrilled that 86% of the Americans polled believe in God. My question is, "Does their belief in God affect their life?" And, "Is the God they believe in the God of the Bible?" Keeping IN GOD WE TRUST on our coins is commendable. Making that statement a part of our everyday life is where the rubber meets the road. Do we know Him personally, trust Him entirely, and follow Him with abandon? It is not what the majority say. It is what each individual says. What does each person mean when they say, "I believe in God." Is it merely a mental assent to His existence or a declaration of Him being their God and their life? Does it have any influence on their words, actions, and lifestyle?

God wants to be in their heart and life...not just on their coins and in their pledge. His love for them is incredible and yet so few seem to realize it and live out it. May He change that.

God, be more to us than a nice saying or palatable motto. Stamp Your image on the deepest part of us. One day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that You are Lord! May knee bending and tongue confessing start now!

His Daughter,
Pam

In This Thing

Yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 1:32 (KJV)

Our faith in God can be tenuous at times. How often have we been through trying circumstances, experienced God’s faithfulness, witnessed His powerful interventions in our life, and known without a doubt that God was on our side, only to turn around and be filled with unbelief at a new issue, problem, or situation? The children of Israel epitomized this so well. Even with their history with God and His continual assurances and reminders, they still acted out of fear rather than faith. Their fear lead them not only to disbelief but also to disobedience. They were so focused on what they saw, heard, and felt that they became deaf to God’s voice, forgetful of His past provisions, and blind to His presence. They caved in to the opinions of others and all the “what ifs” their minds could conceive.

As I read this verse I am instantly aware of the areas in my life where God is saying the same thing to me that He said to the children of Israel. While I may not have specified, laid out directions from Him, I do have a multitude of promises from His Word that should cause me to walk with confidence, determination, and courage. His Word is meant to be a sword that I wield at any thought that leads me to believe lies about God or His involvement in my life. He longs for me to hear Him whisper His assurances to me. A few come to mind right now…

I will never leave you or forsake you. I know the plans I have for you. My thoughts are higher than your thoughts. I have loved you with an everlasting love. I delight in you. I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands. I will supply all your needs. My grace is sufficient. I formed you in your mother’s womb and continue to carry you Myself. Trust Me. Seek My face. Obey My voice. I will lead you. I will protect you. I have My hand and eye on you. My banner over you is love. Come unto me for rest, direction, wisdom, and guidance. In Me you will mount up with wings as eagles. I am here. You are mine.


His words are meant to do more than make me feel good or help me to merely survive. They are meant to equip me to walk with boldness and unhindered faith, so that His words to me can become, “In this thing you DID believe Me!”

Make it so, Father. Make it so. Amen.

It is Not an Insult to Ask

And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day? 2 Kings 20:8

I am surprised that Hezekiah is asking for a sign that God will do what He said He would do. After all, Isaiah had just told him what God had said in relationship to his sickness. Not only would he be healed but he would live an additional fifteen years! But instead of rejoicing and resting in the realization that he has been granted such an extravagant answer to his prayer, he is asking God for some proof that it will actually happen. Much like Gideon who put out fleeces to make sure he really was hearing from God via an angel’s visit. Was God’s word not good enough for them? Apparently not.

My surprise turns to amazement as I see God give Hezekiah and Gideon what they asked for. Hezekiah is given a choice of seeing a shadow recede or progress by ten degrees. He chooses the recession of the sun’s shadow. Gideon places a fleece out (on two occasions) and sees the dew affect the ground and fleece in opposite ways. Both men are given physical demonstrations to encourage them in their faith. God was gracious to show them with their eyes what they struggled to embrace in their spirit. What a personally involved God we serve!

My Bible has some interesting notes regarding signs and the possible reasons God so willing gave them. God gave signs to strengthen their faith, as proof or a guarantee that He would fulfill His promise, to demonstrate authority, provide assurance, bear testimony, give warning, and encourage faith.

It is no different for us today. In the course of our daily lives we sometimes need confirmation of God’s leading in tangible ways. It may be through a verse, words spoken in conversation, some physical display, or any number of creative methods God chooses to implement. Whatever the case may be, my heavenly Father isn’t insulted by a genuine desire for assurance. He will go to any length to help me walk by faith!

Father, while my faith pleases You, I know I can be honest with my uncertainties and doubts. Your response is always loving! Amen.

When Unshakable Faith is Shaken

And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me. Matthew 11:6

Trials and difficulties have a way of revealing our true beliefs and also of clouding our view. I find it interesting that John the Baptist spent years preaching in the wilderness and baptizing in the waters of the Jordan River. He was the voice of one crying in the wilderness, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” It was his mission to prepare people for the entrance of Jesus. He had no trouble standing up against the religious and government officials of his day. He had a job to do and he did it. Whether people accepted his message or not, he spoke the truth. He also had no trouble pointing out who Jesus was. When he saw Jesus approaching him, he proclaimed with strong conviction, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” His certainty was unshakable!

And yet later on, John is in prison and sending his own disciples to Jesus with one question. “Are you the one we are looking for or should we look for another.” I sense weariness in his question along with discouragement, confusion, and a faltering faith. It could be that John’s life did not turn out the way he thought it would. Maybe he thought he would be that voice crying in the wilderness and eventually just fade into the background. When the circumstances changed he needed reassurance that he had been on the right track all along.

When Jesus talked about not taking offense at Him, He was not only referring to being bothered or upset. He was also talking about not getting tripped up. He knows it is in our nature to second-guess ourselves, get disheartened, and lose sight of Him in the midst of trials and testings. If John the Baptist needed the reminders and encouragement, we surely do as well. It is too easy to experience the discomforts of life and the disapproval of people and come away with the wrong view of God and ourselves. Like John, there are times we need to refocus and renew our minds. Over the weekend I sought out the encouragement of a handful of people. They heard the doubts and fears behind my questions and they were faithful to help me see clearly what had become clouded. I thank God for each one of them. This morning I rejoice in my God once again! While my situation has not changed, what I am focusing on has!

Father, it is when I understand the least that I need You the most. I hold Your hand tighter because only You can see what is ahead. Amen.

My Willful Choice

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:18

It seems that the hardest times to proclaim rejoicing and joy in Christ are when we face the harshnesses of life. The unfairnesses and injustices of this world sometimes paralyzes our faith. When needs go unmet, friends desert us, health fails us, or provisions are no where to be found, our view of God is suddenly exposed for what it really is.

When life gets difficult can I still proclaim the truths I voiced so easily during the good times? Do I still say God is good? Do I still trust Him? Do I still find my satisfaction and fulfillment through Him? Do I still feel like I am the apple of His eye and revel in the truth that my name is engraved in the palm of His hand?

It is in the midst of difficult moments that those truths become more precious to me than ever before. I must not look at God through my gird of uncomfortable circumstances but rather I must look at the circumstances through the grid of truth about God.

I have found great strength during my seasons of doubting when I began to voice out loud the truths about God. My circumstances and feelings do not change who God is and how He feels toward me one bit.

So like Habakkuk, when life is not going well and all seems to be hopeless, I choose to rejoice in the Lord and joy in my God. I choose to continue to believe I am in his care and sheltered by His arms. I choose to believe God and praise Him at ALL times!

Father, sometimes I have to proclaim these truths in sheer faith. Amen.