Lions of Fear and of Faith

Although I journey through the land of lions 

I fear not, for I travel in the company of the Great Lion

Is fear a present darkness

or the absence of light,

a dwelling in shadow  

Or is fear merely

the absence of faith,

an inability clearly to see

This I know; it is impossible

to be in faith and in fear
at the same moment

Fearlessness blossoms in His light

Here fear is dried up and withers,

then digs it’s own grave and dies

- A.B. Seal

The Mystery of Faith

Your physical eyes 

and your intellect 

are not sufficient  

to sustain you 

on this journey 

nor through these storms 

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (ESV)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  (KJV)

How is it possible to be assured of things hoped for?  The very nature of hope involves the not presently having that which is hoped for.  Being certain of that which is hoped for is almost an oxymoron.  The two generally don’t go together.  

Can one have evidence for that which cannot be seen?  Evidence is by nature something that can be witnessed.  For example; evidence in the courtroom is either something tangible like pictures, video, fingerprints or it is the testimony of a witness who saw or heard something relevant to the case.  Can you imagine going to court and only being able to rely only upon evidence that did not fit into either of these two categories?   

Intangible evidence and certain hope  

Could it be that faith is something that cannot be carefully explained sufficiently enough clear away the fog of mystery?  Could it be that mystery itself is a distinct characteristic of faith in the God who cannot be seen?  Could it be that faith is the mysterious means with which to relate to the mysterious Holy Spirit, God with us?    

It is not surprising that mystery abounds here for God is not seen, yet He is and has been believed in by countless people around the world both today and throughout history.  How does one relate to the God who is not seen?  Not with physical eyes, nor with intellect alone, but by something that God alone gives, namely faith.  It is a glorious grace that we may know God via the gift of faith that God alone gives.  He gives that which we need to know Him, and that apart from which we may never truly know Him. 

The 11th chapter of Hebrews, the famous “Faith” chapter begins with an interesting yet fairly mysterious definition of faith in verse one.  Yet it is noteworthy that after this brief definition, more effort is not given to further illuminate what this faith is exactly.  In stead of further defining this perplexing topic, the author of Hebrews instead resorts to a masterful historical list of what faith in the unseen God looks like when put into practice.  This beautiful chapter of Scripture is powerful in its description of many who displayed their faith in God via their actions.  

The Apostle Paul, who taught extensively on the massive importance of faith, turns to the Old Testament to illustrate and explain this topic.  Abraham is Paul’s subject to highlight the nature of the faith that justifies.  “Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.”  Three times this text is referenced, first in Genesis 15:6, and then by Paul in Romans 4:3 and Galatians 3:6.  That this incident is thrice recorded in scripture is no doubt indicative of significant importance.  

The story of Abraham begins with him as a pagan living among pagans, when he is encountered by God.  This encounter is such that from the very beginning of this relationship, God gives Abraham instruction.  Almost as if one of the partners in this relationship was God, and the other a subordinate follower…  Maybe this is the pattern that would be repeated throughout time.  This relationship was initiated by God and followed by Abraham.  It is worthy of notice that the instruction given to Abraham was one that was both uncomfortable and mysterious.  “Go… to the land that I will show you.” (Gen. 12:1)  This required packing up and leaving the familiar, leaving family and friends behind, drastically impacting the lives of others who would go with him, and all while not knowing where it was exactly that he was going. 

God asked of Abraham the impossible.  Twice.  

Faith was the means that resulted in Abraham’s obedience to the unseen God.  He saw that which could not be seen.  He believed when the odds were insurmountable.  Faith beholds God beyond the impossible.  Faith trusts the God who is bigger than the trial.  Faith grabs ahold of God when there is nothing else to hold onto.  

Job

Faith is how battered Job endured absolute devastation, one minute at a time.  How could Job have weathered such colossal personal tragedies otherwise?  

The Church Throughout History

Faith was the means with which William Tyndale translated a significant portion of the Bible into English, despite death threats from the King.  By faith he persevered in this task until he was killed for his faithful obedience to the assignment of God.

Faith was the rock that Martin Luther stood upon as he confronted the only church of the day.  By faith he believed God’s Word though everyone else in the church, it seemed, believed many things contrary.  By faith he battled theologically, living as a fugitive and translating scripture into the language of the people.  By faith he persevered until the Protestant Reformation was birthed. 

Faith was the weapon with which William Wilberforce and friends waged war against the evils of the slave trade for many decades.  They battled the socially accepted wickedness decade after decade until that great foe was vanquished from England, and ultimately America as well.  

Faith was the motivation with which countless missionaries left comfort and country for suffering, tragedy, and the unspeakable joy of spreading the Gospel throughout the world.

Faith was the furnace that forged a Nation that would become One Nation Under God.  Freedom to pursue a relationship with God, unsanctioned by the Government was the fuel that fired this great forge.  America was literally birthed through faith in God.  

Faith was the morning light that shown through the former slave Frederick Douglas and many others in America to overthrow the lengthy midnight of slavery.  

Faith was the courage that gripped Dietrich Bonhoeffer and many others like him to combat the evils of the Nazi regime.  Faith would not permit these to succumb to the comfortable apathy of countless others who filled the pews in Germany.  Faith was action and speaking, thus lack of action and silence a lack of faith.  

Time nor ink would permit an exhaustive list, yet suffice it to say that eternity will provide enough time with which to learn of all the courageous battles of faith throughout history, and of the faithful God apart from which no such endeavors would exist.

You and I

What does faith look like in your life?  Is it like Job, trusting minute by minute in the goodness of God, while the hurricane rages?  Is it like Abraham, journeying without knowing where you will end up, or how or what you will end up doing?  

Has He called you to something?  If so, chances are that circumstances will be significantly difficult enough that it will take His faith to believe Him.  Your physical eyes and your intellect are not sufficient to sustain you on this journey nor through these storms.  Faith alone in Christ alone is the only way to follow wherever He leads, to weather the treacherous storms of life, and to arrive at your much hoped for destination.   

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him”
Hebrews 11:6a (ESV)

Opposition Equals Opportunity

Facing Opposition?  If so you're not alone.  Scripture is full of examples of God's people encountering opposition, as is the rest of history.

Opposition is not only par for the course in this life, it is the wind which fills the sails of faith.  

In Matthew 8:23-27 Jesus and several of his disciples were on a boat.  Their opposition that day was a great storm and apparently a boat that wasn't sufficient to handle the storm.  Not surprisingly fear was the response of the disciples.  

In the midst of the storm Jesus says, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?"       

A few implications of his words; 

A lack of faith, in the face of opposition, results in fear.

Genuine faith sees beyond the opposition, and is mindful that God is always aware of the storms in our lives and that he remains ever present with us in the midst of them?

Opposition equals opportunity to put faith into practice.

  

If you faint in the day of adversity,

your strength is small

- Proverbs 24:10

Faith and Reason

So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." They said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?"
- John 6:41-42

Logic and reason are not sufficient tools with which to ultimately know Jesus. For logic and reason only have part of the picture in view. The rationality of the Jews sounded good, for they did know Jesus' mother and step-father. Yet they did not know the whole story, they did not see the whole picture as they imagined. True faith extends beyond mere reason and logic.

Remember what Jesus said to Peter after Peter proclaimed Jesus' true identity; (Mat 16:17) "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven."

Just as it was the Heavenly Father that revealed to Peter who Jesus really is, so also it is with all of those who believe. So we see that logic and reason are not sufficient foundations for faith in Christ Jesus, for true faith in Him comes as a revelation from Him. Genuine faith is birthed through the Word and by the Spirit. It is a gift (Rom. 6:23).

All that said, throwing logic and reason away entirely would be like throwing out the baby out with the bath water. For even Paul reasoned with men in the synagogues, in the market places, and in the Areopagus (Acts 17:17-19).

Yet faith does not finally rest upon logic or reason but upon something much deeper, upon something accomplished by God, something revealed by Him.

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
- 2 Cor. 4:3-4

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
- 2 Cor. 4:6

The Idolatry of Effectiveness

Faithfulness is more to be valued and sought after than effectiveness.

If it is otherwise one will forfeit faithfulness in pursuit of ever newer and "more effective" means.

John G. Paton lived out the truth that faithfulness is more to be valued than effectiveness. After serving for years on the front lines of missions, after losing his wife and child on the mission field, after repeatedly catching the same illness which killed his wife, and after multiple years of apparent ineffectiveness in ministry Paton refused to give up. He labored faithfully for years and years, enduring much hardship and tremendous difficulties when effectiveness in ministry was only a distant hope.

This makes one wonder how many mission agencies would have given up on Paton and withdrew their support because of his apparent ineffectiveness. Yet Paton was steadfast, believing when nearly everything around him was engaged in intense opposition to belief. Paton, like Abraham believed God when there was no earthly reason to believe Him - this is faith.

The Scriptures teach that faith, belief, and trust are highly esteemed by the Lord. When man recognizes his complete inability without God and then leans whole heartedly into Him, who can do that which we we could never do, then faith is involved. And it is precisely faith which pleases Him.

It is interesting to note that Jesus did not call us to effectiveness, rather He has called us to faithfulness and to obedience. Paul is very helpful in this regard, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." (1 Cor. 3:6-7).

As it turned out, Paton did eventually experience great effectiveness later in his life on the mission field. Yet I do not think that this is what most pleased the Lord, rather it seems that the Lord was most pleased with Paton's faith in Him. John G. Paton's faith in the Lord worked itself out in faithful and diligent service to Him in spite of an apparent lack of effectiveness.

In contrast, how plentiful are the examples in America of apparent effectiveness, of multitudes crowding into over sized buildings called churches. Yet it is clear that it is not effectiveness that is most pleasing in God's sight for it is not written in the Scriptures, "Without effectiveness it is impossible to please Him." Rather it is written, "Without faith it is impossible to please Him." (Heb. 11:6).

Seeing Beyond Circumstances

While in the midst of trials and tribulations one must learn to see beyond the trying circumstances.

This is easy to say when all is going well. This is however essential to grab hold of when you are in the midst of difficult circumstances. When the storms of life assail you and the trials are catching you off guard, it is then when we need lift up our eyes to the God who reigns over and above all circumstances.

Life is full of painful situations but the eyes of faith will see outside the boundaries of these situations to the bigger picture beyond.

Those on the storm-tossed boat with Jesus did not see the bigger picture that God reigns over and above their circumstance because they were too focused on the crashing waves, the wind, and another kind of rain. They were however blessed with the opportunity to see God divinely intervene.

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

What are the eyes of your faith laying hold of? Are you assured of that which you hope for? Are you convicted of that which you cannot see?