One of my professors, Dr. Brookes sent me this devotion which I wanted to share. Faith or Fear Yesterday I had the privilege in singing praises to my Heavenly Father claiming His faithfulness even in times of trouble. As I sang I was reminded of His loving faithfulness declared throughout the Bible, even when things seemed dire He delivered in an eternal way. Later in Sunday school, I was reminded that it is in our times of trials and tribulations that our faith is tested, how faithful do we really believe God is? James writes, “Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way consider it an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything” (1:2-14). The Psalmist time and time again reveal this type of character, even when despair and fear has engulfed them, they claim the faithfulness of God and in this praising they seem to find comfort. Paul writes about realizing how he can find contentment in whatever state he is in, he does this after being beaten, ship wrecked and facing execution; he seems to lean on a peace that surpasses all understanding and reveals his endurance by finishing the race strong. And Jesus, the son of God, cries out, “’Eli, Eli, Lema sabachtani?’, My God My God why have you forsaken me” (Matt 27:46) but still truly knows the love of the Father even in the depths of His pain as reveled in His plea, “Father, forgive these people, because they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). I am comforted by the vulnerability exposed in these passages in spite of the firm faith displayed. It helps me understand that it is part of the human state and not a sign of weakness or a lack of faith when my flesh cries out in fear when life delivers that which I do not want; when my physical state is overcome with pain; and when I am filled with doubt because God did not give me the answer I wanted or events did not play out quit like I had anticipated or even worse I am overwhelmed with grief when God does not deliver me from death. The truth is in any one of these situations I find James words to be true, any time the Lord has carried me through a trial, allowing my flesh to cry out to Him, pressing into Him and trusting in His faithfulness in spite of how I feel, I find my faith and dependence upon Him grows and I am strengthened so I may accept whatever comes my way. So for this day and for whatever it may bring, I will not be overcome by fear but instead embrace the fact that God indeed is all knowing, all powerful, and all loving.
Posted on: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 00:25:46 +0000
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