Pondering Faith

The sun comes up….after a night of anxiety, a night of tears, a night when all seems lost. The sun comes up and brings hope. The sun comes up and brings a new tomorrow. And I cry, how can this be? The sun is brilliant, it lights dark corners and brings vibrancy. Faith is knowing the sun will shine.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

The definition of faith is a confidence or trust, belief that is not based on proof, the obligation of loyalty. Faith is the future, faith is a surety in life that extends into eternity. For years I have pondered Abraham’s faith in God. This man did not have the Bible, but he had faith. How did this happen? God asked this man to leave his home, without a set destination. He encountered many people and adventures. Abraham waited for the promise that he would have a son. The Lord promised that his children would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. His son Isaac appeared when Abraham and Sarah were old. (All things are possible with God). Abraham’s crowning act of faith was obedience when called to sacrifice his son, Isaac. At the very last moment God stayed his hand.

When I read Abraham’s story in Genesis, I wonder if I could leave the known for the unknown. But is the known really sure or what we perceive it to be? Can it be that keeping the known shuts us off from a faith-blessing of the unknown?

When my great-grandparents, Mennonites, left their home in Russia, what did they know of life in America? They left the known for the unknown. They only knew that their lives in Russia no longer allowed them the freedom to worship God. Were there warnings about living in United States? Yes…Indians continued to roam freely. Were there hardships traveling to United States? Yes. Preparation included provisions of food for the entire trip. Seeds for planting and small goods placed in a heavy wooden crate. In 1870’s they traveled on the Dnieper River, then crossed a good part of Europe, England, the Atlantic Ocean. Crossing the Atlantic in steerage was cheaper, but was seasickness. Babies were born. They traveled then from New York City to Kansas.

Were there hardships settling in this country? Yes. Hardships included the language barrier, relying on the their few belongings, buying land and building homes, planting the seeds in order to survive on the land in Kansas. Crop failures caused food to be very scarce. For a time, their main diet was dark bread and watermelon syrup. What kept them going?

Had our ancestors stayed in Russia, they would have seen the World War I Russian Revolution when the communists took full command of the country. Anarchy reigned, torture and death followed for many. Their food and cattle were stolen by marauding gangs.

Without faith, our ancestors would have perished in South Russia. God blessed their lives because of their faith and trust in Him. Their ‘known’ would have become terror and death. Despite hardships in America, they clung to their faith in God and continue to be blessed.

How do I know faith – that confidence of the substance hoped for, and the evidence of that which we do not see – is real? Would it sound like a cliché of what faith is said to be? Or is it the faith that continues to grow in my heart? From a child, I learned faith by watching my parents and their unbroken trust in Jesus. It became mine as I trusted and followed Jesus throughout my adult life.

Validation of faith came when I watched both of my parents as they stepped from this life into an eternity with Jesus. Dad smiled as God took him home. Mom’s pain-filled face became one of alabaster-peace with her last breath. I knew the presence of God in those moments. A presence of God that continues to fill me with hope, trust and expectation that one day the faith I have in Jesus will draw me Home. Each one of us makes the commitment, each one of us searches his or her heart. When the sun goes down, it is then that a trusting faith becomes difficult. And I think of the examples I have known of lives filled with faith. During the darkest part of night the Son of God takes my hand!

Faith is putting our hands in the hand of God and letting him lead us into the future. Having faith is amazing to Jesus. “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” – Luke 7:9. These are the words Jesus said to the Roman centurion when he told Jesus that He did not need to come to heal his son.

Faith releases divine power – “….who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” I Peter 1:5

“Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:23b-24

The apostles did not ask for riches or power, they asked for faith. ‘The Apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”’ Luke 17:5

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. – Hebrews 11:6

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. Romans 10:17

… The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6b

Find Us Faithful (Steve Green)

Note: The picture is of great-grand-nephew, Jude, son of Josh & Heather Cook