I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the LORD has done. [Psalm 118.17]
Who can be so bold to make this statement? Those who take refuge in the LORD and refuse to trust in people!!
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in people. [Psalm 118.8]
Why can't we trust in people? Because anything that is trusted becomes an idol.
Anything we trust is our god. If we then trust anything but God Almighty, we have committed adultery against Him and avail ourselves to every curse imaginable.
Got curses? Repent and trust God for deliverance!
How do we know God even wants to deliver us? Because God hates sin and sin has curses attached to it that hurt the sinner. God directs us to the obedience of faith so we might be delivered from those curses that hurt us (the most clear picture of this fact is Jesus).
Our response then is to repent and believe. Repent and believe.
No, we can never repent 'enough' but that is where faith is so very valuable! To 'believe' that God loves us so much - even though we are stained through and through by sin, that He would give of Himself, His Son, to suffer in our place - is to please God. The Bible is clear that nothing but faith pleases God.
Why does the Bible not say that nothing but repentance pleases God? Because repentance is an act of faith, but it is not the fullness of faith. Repentance opens the door - faith walks through.
Repentance is prevented by one thing and one thing alone: pride. Pride is at the top of the list of things God hates. Pride makes us think we are self-sufficient. Repentance, on the other hand, makes us think we are totally at God's mercy. Faith crosses the bridge of repentance to receive every good and perfect gift from God (Who is good and only does good). Faith is the reciprocal response of love in return for the love God has shown us. Why faith? Because faith, again, is the only thing that pleases God and if we truly love God, we will believe everything He has promised us! We will not only pray for His will on earth as it is in heaven, but we will actually be authorized ambassadors of His and will on earth as it is in heaven! That IS the point of Jesus' earthly ministry - to show us how it is done (why else would Jesus be so adamant about His followers walking by faith?). Jesus did some pretty bold things with some amazing results - and then made crystal clear that we, His followers, are to do likewise.
It will require faith. Repentance is a good start - the only start in fact - but to stop there is to not finish the work. We must repent and BELIEVE! Repentance kick-starts faith (to believe that God would forgive us), but Jesus showed us that there are amazing miracles awaiting those who truly believe they are forgiven and therefore have all the authority Jesus imparted to affect the world as did He.
So...
I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the LORD has done. [Psalm 118.17]
Father, You are so good. Your Word is so good. Your plan is so good. Forgive me for pride and arrogance in me that has prevented me for trusting in You and therefore prevented me from glorifying You. You ARE good! I will trust in You and I will not be afraid!
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