Faith to Risk All
Between the graduation and the first PGCE class, some may assume that I have nothing to do. Though that is true in some respects, I have been discovering some of God's other plans for me; Plans to strengthen my faith and that is never an inactive or easy lesson.
It was interesting that Sunday's message was about 'Listening to God' which included the notion of expecting God to speak, submitting to His authority in obedience and waiting (this should be familiar term to me by now, huh?) on Him for direction. Added to that was this morning's team devotion which focused on how our human understanding (views, concepts, etc) is such a hindrance to our faith when it really should be based on His Word (Proverbs 3:1-6). I think God has been SO gracious in revealing the deeper importance and meaning of faith to me at this moment in my life.
What Risk?
It is so easy to "trust" the Lord when it does not require our practical involvement. I like the quote that I read on a whiteboard in the OM Singapore office, 'Unless there is an element of risk in our exploits for God, there is no need for faith. -Hudson Taylor'. The more I thought about this, the more I wondered about this "risk". What risk is involved when we are practising obedience to Christ and His Word? According to the Oxford English Dictionary, 'risk' is the possibility of meeting danger or suffering harm or equivalently, 'to risk' is to expose to the chance of injury or loss. If we claim to believe that God knows what is BEST for us and that He wants to give us GOOD things. (Isaiah 1:18-20, 48:17, Psalm 84:11, Jeremiah 29:11-13) and maybe to make it "harder" suppose God has commanded us to do something "impossible" (example: Go into ALL the world and make disciples of ALL nations...). What exactly are we risking?
Who Calls?
I think that faith is impossible if we do not realise WHO it is that we are putting our hope and trust in. Psalm 9:10 says that 'and those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.' Okay, so what is His name? Immanuel, God with us. Yahweh, covenant keeping God. Father, Holy One,... you can carry on. What does it mean for us to know His name? (John 17:3) My dictionary here says that it means to feel certain, to recognise, to be familiar with, to understand though in the Biblical sense, you might have also learnt that it is also of a more intimate nature and that it involves experiencing deep truths. Indeed, when we know His "name", we will understand His true worth. Risk? It's looking more like a guaranteed gain!
Why All?
Paul seems to have discovered this reason when he acknowledged that His worth surpassed everything he could ever imagined to have (Philippians 3:7-11). Also, if faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen (Hebrews 11:1) then a lack of faith is the lack of substance (which could be a lack of action) and is in fact, evidence against "things not yet seen". So, if we claim the truth of the Bible and say that we believe (have faith) in it, then the evidence is our responsibility of obedience to His commandments and the things not yet seen are His promises. Thus, if we do not see fulfilment of those promises we either lie in our proclamation or we call God a liar (1 John 5:10, Hebrews 6:17-18). In case you didn't realise, both situations are not good for we offend God in them (Proverbs 6:16-19), It is no wonder then that without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6) or that those who seek diligently after God are called wise (Psalm 14:2, 53;2). Besides, as we claimed God's goodness and graciousness from earlier, what supernatural joy must arise in a fruitful and fulfilled life!
And Now?
I can see that I am in deep trouble here. For what I have just shared, I must now live. For to him who knows to do good, and faith without works is dead, but fails to do it, to him it is sin. (James 2:26, 4:17). Praise God that I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13) and that His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue (1 Peter 1). Yes indeed, there are many things before me that look uncertain and for this reason, I want to give thanks to the Lord for His promises are sure and His precious Word is a firm foundation as well as a light to my path. Please do pray with me and for me, that I will endeavour to press on towards the goal that is Christ and allow Him to ready me for whatever lies ahead.
I realise this blog entry is a little long but I'd still like to end with this old song:
TRUST & OBEY
When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way;
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
(Chorus)
Trust and obey,
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear,
Not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss,
Not a frown or a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.
But we never can prove
The delights of His love,
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows,
And the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we'll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do;
Where He sends. we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.
