03/04/2019
When times are tough for us, or we see someone else who is struggling, how do we approach the situation; who do we turn to for help, or guidance? So often our pride gets in the way, and we cling to self-sufficiency, or we see someone without clothing, hungry, or with anywhere to sleep, and we look away hoping they will get their life in order. We do these things when in fact we should turn to Jesus for our help, and offer assistance to others as He would have us do, but this requires a couple of very basic attributes... faith, and courage. Do you have these in you?
“But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV
When facing personal challenges we choose how we will approach them depending on whether we have faith or not. If we are not persons of faith then we look to ourselves first, and then those around us for assistance, as we begin working at trying to solve our own problem, or solicit the aid we need from family or friends. The outcome of our own efforts might be successful if the problem is small, or if those we lean on are able to help, but otherwise we are lost.
However, if we are people of faith we will turn to Jesus, and God, for our solution and salvation. Even in faith the degree to which we lean on Jesus depends on the strength of the faith we exhibit.
If you look in a child’s school bag you will find a ruler that measures one foot, and if you assume that this is the measure of what it takes to solve any problem you are in the midst of, then measure your faith and judge it to be equivalent to 9 inches, you will realize that your faith alone is insufficient to solve the problem. So what do we do to make up the difference; to gain the 3 additional inches? Most people in this situation revert back to self-sufficiency and try to add those inches by themselves; they will pray, and trust in God to supply His 9 inches, then begin looking for ways to make up the difference. But what would happen if they tried a different tact, and prayed for an increase in their faith instead, just as the father whose son was possessed by an unclean spirit did...
“And Jesus said to him, "'If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!"”Mark 9:23-24 ESV
After all, in our opening verse, didn’t Paul quote Jesus as saying “My grace is sufficient for you?” We easily see that our problem requires an increase of 3 inches in effort, but if we are to depend entirely on our faith it also means we must have courage to trust further in the provision of God, and Jesus.
“Then David said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished.”1 Chronicles 28:20 ESV
Courage and faith go hand in hand. Nothing drains off the strength of our faith faster than the lack of courage required to lean on it. The Bible speaks over and over again about courage, and it also speaks of its antithesis... fear. God encourages us:
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Even his angels tell us not to fear when they appear:
“And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”Luke 2:10 ESV
Fear holds so many of us back from doing God’s will by discouraging them from stepping boldly out in faith. It also keeps us from leaning on God’s provision in our times of trouble and suffering by undermining our trust and faith. So faith requires courage, and as our faith increases our courage is also increased by the successes of that faith. It is a relationship that is ever increasing... unless we introduce fear. Listen as David speaks of the victories of courage and faith that led him ultimately to defeat Goliath...
“And David said, "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with you!"”1 Samuel 17:37 ESV
Are you approaching your problems with a faith in the Lord? Do you trust entirely in His provision, or does fear hold you back and keep you from releasing complete control to Him? How many inches are you lacking as you measure your faith, and how will you make up the difference? Consider this today as you pray.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for the small grain of faith that you originally gave me, and for the courage that it took to exercise it. I thank you Holy Father for each time I won a victory for you by its use. I thank you for ever increasing my faith by your provision, and for giving me the confidence that continues to bolstered my courage in support of it. You are bold and fearless as you stand with me against my troubles, and your courage is perfect. Help me Father to stand courageously in my faith... bold as you are bold, and unflinching as you are unflinching. I pray that you help me in my unbelief, and strengthen my faith as I face every challenge by calling on you. I pray that you give me your courage in the face of my enemies... even if that enemy is my own fear. I pray that you will increase my trust in you so that I will be fed and rewarded when I give my food to the hungry, I will be covered when I give my clothing to the naked, and I will not be harmed when I provide shelter to the homeless. I pray for your strength of character, and the courage to faithfully employ it. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who takes away fear, and gives the courage to have faith. Praised be your name in all the mercies you give, and in all those you lead us to provide one another. All glory is yours Heavenly Father, and in all things good or troublesome you stand true to your Word forever.
Rich Forbes