Have a Little Faith...

How many times have I heard that? In fact, I've often been the one saying it. Of course, it is a wonderful exhortation because so often we get snagged in the horizontal and fail to remember the vertical. However, what is the underlying premise of that saying? "Have a little faith"? I believe when we say it, hear it, the implication is - have a little faith that it will turn out okay, you'll get what you want, things will go your way, etc. Right?

Recently, I was reading through Hebrews 11, the very familiar "faith" chapter. The "who's who" of men and women of faith. The list, though not by any means exhaustive, it is just the same impressive. The chapter starts out great:

By faith, Abel offered a more acceptable sacrifice...
By faith, Enoch was taken up so he should not see death...
By faith, Noah...constructed an ark.
By faith, Abraham...went to live in the land of promise...
By faith, Sarah herself received the power to conceive...
By faith, Abraham...offered up Isaac...
By faith, Isaac invoked further blessings on Jacob and Esau...
By faith, Jacob...blessed each of the sons of Joseph...
By faith, Joseph...gave directions concerning his bones...
By faith, Moses...was hidden three months by his parents...
By faith, Moses...refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter...
By faith, the people crossed the Red Sea on dry land...
By faith, the walls of Jericho fell...
By faith, Rahab the prostitute did not perish...

Hebrews 11:32-35a And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets- 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection.

This is how we want to view faith, don't we? If the chapter stopped there we could be comforted in believing a little faith would result in things going well with us but half way through verse 35 the tenor of the chapter changes.

Hebrews 11:35b-40 Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated- 38of whom the world was not worthy- wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Having faith is vital. The righteous shall live by faith....Galatians 3:11

But is faith a magic pill, a rabbit's foot that is our "credit card" to get what we want and how we want? By no means ~ faith is not me-centered it is Christ-centered. It is Christ-centered because He is the Faithful One, worthy of our worship, trust and belief. It is believing that His purpose, His plan, His method is the perfect purpose, plan and method for me specifically. That His way in my life is perfect-EVEN WHEN I CAN'T UNDERSTAND IT. He does. Faith is knowing I can trust Him even when I don't get what I want or how I want it. Faith is about Him not about me.

Diane

Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries and Acting Director of Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 25 years. She has 2 children, 2+ grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.

DIGGING DEEPER
14 For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.

Today is the last day of Victory Week #2. Join us at 9:30 am with Dr. David Epstein or 6:30 pm with Dr. Roger Willmore, either here or on-line at www.americaskeswick.org.