04/04/2023
This morning I am contemplating that time when our faith moves into its maturity and we leave the close care of our Lord and the nursery which is our church, to test our spiritual wings within the world. Are we ready for what lies ahead? Is our faith ready to become real and not just theory? Jesus told His disciples that they would be scattered. Just as with our own children, there comes a time when all of our teaching and parenting must come to its fulfillment, where it is put to the test and the child that has been raised employs his lessons. This is the moment when the theory, that has been our faith, becomes the practice of faith. This was about to occur in the spiritual lives of the disciples.
“Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.”
John 16:32 KJV
Even as it is with our children, so it is with us in our faith, but when our young men and women enter the world and begin to make their way, we do not abandon them. Our counsel remains and they seek out our wisdom. This is true in God as well. Jesus asked the Father and He sent a comforter to help us. Then, He promised to come to us.
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
John 14:16-18 KJV
So we are not meant to be isolated from the world, but instead it becomes our workplace in which we are to take those things we have learned in the Word and put them to good use. In this there will be suffering, tribulation, and every form of challenge, yet we are well equipped to face them. We will not be tempted beyond our ability to withstand.
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV
Every once in a while a philosopher gets it right, and this was true of Friedrich Nietzsche as well when he said "That which does not kill us makes us stronger." Spiritually speaking the stakes are high and if we abandon God in the hardships of the world then we too will surely suffer a spiritual death, but if we lean not on our own understanding and we allow God to direct our paths, then we will receive the strength of The Lord and find eternity with Him.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 KJV
We began this morning in John 16:32 and now we have concluded with the very next verse... we will be separated, have the Lord with us, face tribulation, but be of good cheer... because we are well prepared.
As a young man my mother would tell me something just before I would leave my earthly father's house... "Remember whose child you are!", and in all my years I have sought to do those things that would please my parents and make them proud of me. My mother's words were my guide then and remain with me today. In faith I do the same, I live my life to please and make my Heavenly Father proud of me, and I strive to always "remember whose child I am." As we each face the world and all of its snares and temptations today, let’s never forget this lesson so that we will hear those wonderful and faithful words that Jesus heard…
“ and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.””
Matthew 3:17 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I am your child and although I walk this world in physical separation, I know that you are with me always. I pray that you strengthen me through your Word and the foundation it has provided me. When I leave your house, the church, I pray that you give me the faith to face all temptation and every challenge that tests me in this fallen world. I thank you for your Holy Spirit who guides and comforts me, and the visits of your son Jesus Christ who reminds me always just whose son I am. In your sight let me be pleasing and a joy to you; in your arms let me always be welcomed home; and, in your counsel let me forever find truth and peace. Holy Father, you are my strength and my shield against all harm, and your strong right arm is my defense against every evil I encounter. In you I find my hope and desire, and as I walk this world of physical and spiritual danger, facing hardship and trial, let me lean on you so that I will always remember where my home is, and whose child I am.
Rich Forbes