THE FACTS OF THE MATTER A weekly letter of encouragement to business and professional men and women Good Morning! “BUT IF NOT” 1 There are three men in my life who make me stand a bit taller, dream a bit larger, and infuse in me an intense passion to pursue Christ and His Kingdom with every ounce of energy within me. One of them is Joe, a friend in Christ for over 50 years. He’s sick, and the doctors can’t find out what it is. The other day on the phone he said, “Dwight, I don’t like this illness. I am praying God will heal me, but if not, I will accept with thankfulness whatever He chooses.” (See 2 Cor. 12:7-10) After I hung up, I recalled several men in the Bible who grasped the goodness and sovereignty of God in adverse circumstances reflective of Joe’s perspective: “Dear God, remove this adversity, but if not, I will entrust my future to your loving and wise sovereignty.” For example: Abraham, was instructed by God to offer up his precious son. When asked, “where is the lamb for the burnt offering,” Abraham in effect answered, “God will provide a lamb, but if not, I know He is ‘able to raise him up even from the dead’” (Heb. 11:19). (See Gen. 22:8) Job lost all – home, livestock, family, health, even his wife’s sympathy. In his time of darkness, his faith prevailed: “…He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10). But if not, “though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, captive exiles in Babylon, refused to bow in worship to an image of King Nebuchadnezzar. In reaction, the king threatened them that if they would not comply with his decree they would be “thrown immediately into a blazing furnace…” (Dan. 3:15b) Their response? O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up (Dan. 3:16b-18). John the Baptist languished in prison, having received no messages or help from Jesus to set him free. So he sends his disciples to inquire, Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else (Matt. 11:3)? In effect he was saying, “but if not, my faith is undaunted and I will look for another.” Shortly thereafter his head was cut off. (Mk. 6:14-29) Jesus agonized in Gethsemane to the point that bloody sweat forced its way through his pours. In his distress He cried out, Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me.“ But if not, “not my will, but yours be done” (Lk. 22:42). The next day, He was executed. QUESTION: In the final analysis, we must decide whether the Christian life is about our comfort or His glory? So, my fellow pilgrim, does the quality of your walk with God today give you good reason to believe that in your moment of severe testing you will choose the high road of trusting and obeying God over acquiescing to your fears and self-serving inclinations? This week may you experience His grace, peace and protection. R. Dwight Hill
Posted on: Wed, 06 Nov 2013 20:04:21 +0000
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