05/14/2022
What is the nature of our belief? Is it founded in unseen faith, or does it need to see physical evidence of God’s power before it will prosper and grow? Do we live in a matter of fact spiritual world where giants are slain by a single smooth stone thrown by a young shepherd boy, or do we believe in the incredible wonder of a God who speaks to us mysteriously from burning bushes that are not consumed by fire, in an awe inspiring God whose small still voice whispers to us, or an unseen God who reveals himself to us in dreams, visions, and mysterious voices in the night? Are we like Thomas the disciple who needed to feel the wounds of Christ, or Samuel the Prophet who only heard the voice of God in the night?
“Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.””
John 20:29 ESV
What does it take to call us to God? What nourishes and strengthens our faith each day? Do we need the remembrance of a miracle before we can step from our bed chamber and begin to answer our calling? Must we begin our day by leaning on a staff like Moses did, or do we kneel in absolute confidence before an unseen God in humble prayer? Do we need to feel the rain on our face, or is a rising mist enough?
“When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, and a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground—”
Genesis 2:5-6 ESV
Jesus doesn’t turn away from those who need to touch him, or who need to be knocked to the ground by Him, any more than he rejected Thomas, Paul, or revealed Himself to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, yet there is something special about those who believe without having seen.
“So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.”
2 Corinthians 5:6-7 ESV
Some of us come to Jesus asking to see Him like the father who asked Jesus to heal his son, and needed proof of the hour his boy was made well before he would believe…
“So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household.”
John 4:52-53 ESV
But, others of us are like Peter who knew that Jesus was the son of God by divine revelation… a mysterious and unseen act of God that needed no proof. Listen…
“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 16:13-17 ESV
So, what is the nature of our belief? Are we believers like those who are more influenced by the world’s reasoning?
“So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.””
John 4:48 ESV
Or, are we believers who need only a mist, an unseen faith, or a spiritual vapor, to believe?
“for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.”
Matthew 9:21-22 ESV
Today we will think on these things, and tomorrow we will rise from our bed and begin a new day… but what will be the nature of our faith in those first waking breaths of morning? Will we look for our staff, or simply fall to our knees to worship and praise in absolute faith… an unseen God?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for our faith today whether it requires something physical to nourish it, or the divine manna of your revelation to feed it. If however, we must see the evidence, and feel the wounds of Jesus, we ask that you transform us, and measure by measure, replace the need for our physical eyes with the more perfect spiritual eyes of our heart. Help us to fall at your unseen feet, and worship you in Spirit and Truth. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who abides in us, and reveals yourself to our most inward parts. Praised be your name for every revelation of your will, and for every way that you call out to us. You are merciful and don’t turn us away when we ask you to show us your power, but instead you allow us to see that your grace abounds most as it flows from Jesus with the force of an unseen river of living water. Wash us in the blood of your Son, and let the sin that was consumed but not seen, be washed away by your redemption that we know in Christ, but cannot touch. See His face in us Father, and hear us as we ask that you cover us with His righteousness. Call us worthy, and seat us at your Heavenly Table forevermore. Heirs and Joint Heirs with Jesus.
Rich Forbes