Dave’s Monday Blast – October 18, 2021

From last week: When we worship and trust God, not because of our circumstances but despite them, we please the Lord of the universe in ways that empower and transform us and our witness.

For this week: We see this type of faith throughout the Scriptures: from Joseph, who saw God’s providence in his brothers’ betrayal (Genesis 50:20); to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who refused the king’s idolatry at the risk of their lives (Daniel 3:16 – 18); to the apostles who proclaimed the death and resurrection of Jesus to the very men who arranged his execution (Acts 4:5 – 12). 

The next time you need encouragement (how about today?), take a moment to read Hebrews 11, where you’ll discover story after story of women and men who trusted and served God despite their circumstances. Then read 2 Corinthians 11, where you’ll encounter Paul’s catalogue of suffering and his testimony of faith.

The prophet Habakkuk’s prayer speaks for them all: “Though the fig tree should not blossom, not the fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:17 – 18). Wow…what a declaration of faith!

Here was the result of such unconditional faith: “God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places” (v.19).

We can sum up the process: When we find ourselves in fearful places, we choose to trust God anyway, our faith pleases our Father, and we experience His presence, power, and transcendent peace.

Paul put this process into a promise: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6 – 7). 

Pastor Jim Denison comments: Faith in the face of fear is a common theme across God’s word in large part because such faith was required so often of God’s people. The more Christians face opposition, discrimination, and trauma today, the more vital such faith will be for us as well.