Confidence

I read an essay today that I hadn't read previously. I needed to wait an hour for an appointment so I planned on reading just to fill the time, but I quickly became engrossed in the material that the author presented.

This essay contrasted the difference between knowledge and belief, but the line of thinking that caught my attention was the reminder of why we as Christians believe what we do about God's leading on our lives - why we can have confidence in God when things don't seem to make "logical" sense. (Logical referring to provable scientific standards)

Read the essay if you get a chance, but here are some of the quotes that I am pondering.

From the essay: On Obstinacy in Belief by C.S. Lewis

"If human life is in fact ordered by a beneficent being whose knowledge of our real needs and of the way in which they can be satisfied infinitely exceeds our own, we must expect a priori that His operations will often appear to us far from being beneficent and far from wise, and that it will be our highest prudence to give Him our confidence in spite of this."

"No man is our friend who believes in our good intentions only when they are proved."

"You are no longer faced with an argument which demands your assent, but with a Person who demands your confidence."

It's worth reflecting on...

Journey, an update 2-15-07

“Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths.” Psalm 25:4

I’ve been thinking about how walking the Christian life is like walking on a balance beam. The Bible calls it the narrow way, but sometimes I don’t realize how very narrow it is. If the path is wide enough for me to stride easily, then I am likely striding forward in my own strength. But if the path, the balance beam, is so narrow that I have to concentrate on every footstep, then I am reduced to depending on the leading of Christ to keep me from falling off of the side.

If I am going to stay on that narrow path then I must humble myself. I must be continuously seeking His heart, His will, His strength for every day. I must choose to be obedient in big choices and in little ones. Over the past few months I’ve found myself having to learn to get better at saying, “I lay down my life.” In my flesh I would prefer the easy road, the one that doesn’t require so much from me, the one without any risk. But the deeper desire of my heart is to press on toward the goal, trusting in His grace pick me up when I fall and in His faithfulness to complete His work in me.

Journey, an update from Rachelle Sperling 2-8-07

“And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:2b-5

I have read these verses many times over the last two months and every time I have a different emotional response, a different perspective. I always love the first part, “we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” Hope is always something to rejoice in. To have the certain hope that God will be glorified is a great comfort for the believer. But then it says that we rejoice in our sufferings. Now there have been times when God has enabled me to rejoice in my sufferings, but that isn’t my natural first response.

Oswald Chambers, in one of his devotionals said, “The great difficulty spiritually is to concentrate on God, and it is His blessing that make it difficult. Troubles nearly always make us look to God; His blessings are apt to make us look elsewhere.” Rouse yourself up and look to God. Build your hope on Him. No matter if there are a hundred and one things that press, resolutely exclude them all and look to Him.”

“Build your hope on Him.” Isn’t this what Romans chapter five is talking about? We go through hard times and sufferings with rejoicing because we are building our hope on Him. And how do we do it? How do we persevere with joy? I think it is exactly as Oswald Chambers stated, as Hebrews chapter eleven and 1 Peter 3:15 tells us. It is by fixing our eyes on Christ, by setting apart Christ as Lord in our lives. If we hope in Christ, we will not be disappointed! He has demonstrated His love to us “when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” (Rom 5:6b)

This is a love and a hope that can give joy and inspire perseverance in the middle of hardships.

Journey, an update 1-24-07

Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate. He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.” Psalms 111:2-5

January is normally a time of reflection for me and this year I have been pondering many things. Some of the answers to my questions have shown me challenges to address and areas to grow in. Some questions don’t have answers; right now they just have wonderings. But a great many of the questions that I have been asking myself, that I have been asking the Lord, simply lead back to His works and His character.

God has given us His Word in which we discover His great works of old. We read of His redemption plan and the wonder of the cross. And God also works in our lives, moving in specific and mighty ways that we can look back at and take comfort in.

Life is full of questions. But often the only answer I really need is the reminder to dwell on the character of God, to dwell on His love, His mercy, His grace and His works on my behalf. When I dwell on these things, when I fix my eyes on the Lord, then the all of the unanswered questions, all of the unknowns, all the difficulties of life fade in His presence.