“Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the LORD will help us, for nothing can hinder the LORD. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!” [1 Samuel 14.6]
"Perhaps"? But what if God didn't help them?
"But what if God didn't help them?" is an indication of fear and not faith.
This makes me think of the three Hebrews speaking to Nebuchadnezzar regarding his threat of throwing them in the fire. Here is that discussion:
Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? I 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 3.14-18]
It has nothing to do with whether on not God will deliver. Instead, it has everything to do with what testimony a person wishes to have before God and man. Will it be total faith or fear?
Hebrews 11 is clear that faith does some amazing things. Along with that, Hebrews 11 is also clear that some faithful souls were tortured.
Although Job made some statements later in his story for which he had to repent, early on, he made a couple of statements that he is said to have stated correctly:
He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD!” In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God. [Job 1.21-22]
His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.” But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong. [Job 2.9-10]
Even in Job's emotional and eventual pride-revealing "therapy" (I will call it), his faith remained intact.
Jonathan, the three Hebrews, and Job all shared a faith that not even death could move.
We have every reason to believe God is good. We have repeated and multiple accounts of God's goodness throughout the Bible. The Psalmist best said it like this:
You are good and do only good; teach me your decrees. [Psalm 119.68]
If a person truly believes this, no circumstance can or will convince him otherwise. Whether outnumbered in battle, facing a blazing furnace, or having encountered disaster, a truly faithful person will not shrink back, bow down, or curse God.
The LORD is good. My circumstances, impending, present or past, mean nothing.
Father, may I be found believing Your goodness as Jonathan, the three Hebrews, and Job did. My circumstances are my opportunity to testify to You and to those watching me that my faith in You and Your goodness are unwavering.
1 comment:
I absolutely loved this brother Greg. This is so true, we need to get into this we need to hear this we need to receive this we need to live this. Quit listening to the world and get into faith. Speak it believe it receive it. Simple at the word of Hod is written? Ah brother? I love ya man, I don’t see much more to say to that’s it’s that simple.
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