All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. [Hebrews 11.13-16]
But what if God doesn't heal me? But what if God doesn't provide for me? What if I die?
There is something to the phrase "still believing what God had promised..." that should inspire us. Is that not what faith is all about?
One of the most profound examples of this is seen in the three Hebrews' response to Nebuchadnezzar when faced with a tortuous death by fire:
I [Nebuchadnezzar] will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” [Daniel 3.15-18]
The faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego was not dependent upon their outcome! Their faith was was firmly (even stubbornly) established before the outcome! While they proclaimed their faith that God would deliver them from the fire, they also offered the disclaimer that their faith in God would not be affected or diluted even if they were to suffer a horrific death by fire.
Faith has not near as much to do with the promise as it has to do with the One Who promised!
Perhaps this is why Jesus said, "Have faith in God" (Mark 11.22).
Contrary to popular belief, faith in oneself is about the most ludicrous misappropriation of faith possible. Just sayin'...
Another fine example of what faith should look like is found in the apostle Paul:
That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return. [2 Timothy 1.12]
There is no excuse for not trusting God to do what He promised He would do. But furthermore, there is no excuse for not trusting God regardless of the outcome! If "faith in God" is dependent upon seeing the promise fulfilled, then Abraham missed it, didn't he? And so we will "miss it" if our faith is contingent upon outcome!
"But what if we die?" is a shortsighted question! Here is the more important question: "What if we die outside of faith in God?"
For this reason, I am of the opinion that I will live or die based on God alone supporting my life. I refuse to "live" because I depend on medicine. And, I refuse to give medicine any credit for supporting my life. Furthermore, I refuse to trust medicine to be my healer when God said He is my Healer! I choose that my testimony be one of faith in God and God ALONE! In a world saturated with false confidence in the abilities of man, I want there to be no mistake about who or what supports my life! I do not long for life on earth, but eternity with God!
Father, may my life demonstrate the kind of faith seen in Abraham and Paul! May I be found "faithful" whether I live or die! Among those who know me and with whom I have to do, may I have the eternally perpetuating (and effective) testimony that I trusted in You and You alone.
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