Because You Trusted...

Because you trusted me, I will give you your life as a reward. I will rescue you and keep you safe. I, the LORD, have spoken!’” [Jeremiah 39.18]

Now, these are words one wishes to hear from God! Whether in the context of Jeremiah 39 or not, these words reveal God's desire for faith in the lives of all who would please Him.

Most fail to recognize that powerlessness in life IS in fact resultant to the sin of "faith"-lessness. It does not have to be a sin of commission like murder, theft, or destruction! Failure to understand this is exactly why people ask 'why bad things can happen to good people.' First, it is no one's place to judge a person good or bad. But secondly, there is no pleasing God apart from faith. To call a person "good" who gets all the commandments right even though they do not walk in obvious "faith," is to judge it okay not to please God! See how messed up that is?

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. [Hebrews 11.6]

The wording of Hebrews 11.6 being similar to the wording of Jeremiah 39.18 is no coincidence! A "curse" upon the life of a "good" person is obviously NOT a reward for faith because the reward for faith, according to God (as recorded by Jeremiah), is "rescue" and "safety."

People have believed the lie of a masterful deceiver to think they can live a life with "faith in Christ" (for salvation) as their only faith event. Consequently, they gloss over all the instances that Jesus demanded faith of His followers in everyday circumstances.

Faith overcomes the ill effects of disobedience but it only does so in the realm of repentance. For this reason, faith and repentance are never found far from each other. Faith and humility go together.

Father, may we be found repentant for the obvious sins of commission in our lives. But may we likewise be found repentant for the not-so-obvious sins of omission in simply not trusting You. May Your power be evident in our lives as we trust You and therefore please You.