06/05/2021
Some of us are just now beginning to know Jesus, while others have known Him for some time, and yet we can be challenged in believing, or some life event can cause us to struggle with our faith. Well this is not uncommon, and Jesus has an answer for what we are going through, He tells us to do two very straight forward things… don’t fear, and just believe. One of the dark one’s greatest weapons against our faith is fear, and another is to use our worldly reasoning to argue against a simple childlike trait that all believers possess… the innocent faith of a child.
“While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.””
Mark 5:35-36 ESV
We are born into a natural world, and are very comfortable in it, but deep within us glows the spark of a quite different fire; it is the glow of faith that accompanies our spiritual self as it stands on the threshold of heaven. All through the Bible we see examples of what occurs when biblical characters come face to face with the divine; this deeper part of themselves. Sometimes they hear a voice, see a vision, or come face to face with an Angel, Jesus, or God Himself, but each time they are told one thing… “fear not”. Scripture says it repeatedly in the Old Testament…
“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
And Jesus delivers the same message to us again in the New Testament…
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 14:27 ESV
Our natural world, and the spiritual world that awaits us, are so different that we become frightened as we step between them. It is like coming upon a chasm, or deep crevice in a rock that we feel barely able to step across. We look down into it with a fear of certain death and our heart pounds within us. We quake with it and a voice behind us (which is Satan) says “step back or you will surely die”, but a strong reassuring voice before us calls out “fear not” (the voice of God). It is here, in this moment of fear and decision, that we begin to reason with ourselves, and to weigh out our options. Should we attempt to step across and receive the promise of joy, peace, and eternity, or remain safely where we are… not receiving any reward, suffering through life, but remaining safe for the moment in this earthly existence we have always known.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Psalm 16:11 ESV
So will we step across the chasm of faith; trusting in the voice of God, and Jesus who reassure us in this moment? We might stutter step for an instant, but then, by faith, comes that fearless step of a trusting child who hears its father say “Just do it… jump and I will catch you!”, and does so by just believing as children are inclined to do. This is what Jesus was telling Jairus regarding the announced death of his daughter… “Do not fear, only believe.” Can we do these two things when we face the prospect of believing, or find ourselves made to fear, and doubt in our lives? Can we fear not, and simply believe?
“Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.””
Luke 18:17 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the reassuring voice you call out to us with when we are afraid, and for your Son Jesus who you beckon us to trust in by just believing. We thank you Lord for encouraging us, and telling us about all the wonders that await us if we will obey your voice, and step out in our belief. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is so awesome, and powerful, that you cause us to quake in fear at the first sound of your coming. We fear what we don’t know Lord, but when we have come to know you we find your love for us to be just as incredibly immense as our fear of you once was. We praise you for calming the frightened child in each of us, and reassuring us as we just come to believe in you through Jesus. Praised be your name for the courage you instill in us, and the help you provide in those moments when our belief is challenged by the events in our worldly lives. Merciful are you who removes us from temptation, protects us from evil, and blesses us with your grace as we are saved from the fear of stepping out in faith. When we come to believe, wash us clean in the blood of Jesus, and immerse us in the waters of baptism. Lift us up pure, and make us perfect in our belief, dressed, and guided by the power of your Holy Spirit. Father, find us worthy through our Lord Jesus Christ of being in your presence forevermore. In this your magnificent glory is proclaimed, and the sun appears dim before you.
Rich Forbes