SUSTAINING FAITH
"He (Abraham) did not waver at
the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,
and being fully convinced that what He (God) had promised, He
was also able to perform" (Romans 4:20-21)
George Mueller, a man of great faith, was once asked by a someone, "What is the
best way to have strong faith?" George Mueller replied, "The ONLY way to learn
strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid
severe testings."
The other evening, we were on our way to a restaurant in the Marina area of Long Beach,
California, when Genevieve called out, "Look, it's Jonathan," and then,
"turn around, he's over there." We managed to make two or three turns and got
back to the other side of Pacific Coast Highway, where Jonathan Merchant was waving his
arms at us from his wheelchair. (He can use his arms, but not his hands).
It turned out he was in crisis at that moment, and of course, he often has been in
severe difficulties since he became a quadriplegic, one and one-half years ago. You may
recall Jonathan from the very first Sunday Sermon of Friday Study Ministries, dated
January 23, 2000, which was entitled "The Nature of Suffering" (2 Corinthians
1:6 was the text). You can view that sermon at www.fridaystudy.org - Sunday Sermons;
given not long after we met this courageous man.
In our current meeting with him, he had been forced to leave the local hospital and had
just learned that his rights to "Access" transportation had expired. He could
not be in the hospital and he had no ride. His "prompt" from the Lord was to 1)
pray, and 2) leave in his wheelchair. When we saw him, we learned later he was praying
"like mad" and trying to do the 27-miles from the hospital to his apartment in
Newport Beach.
During dinner with him, Jonathan mentioned that "in his heart" he knew that
he should do precisely what he did - head toward home and pray for help. About the same
time, Gen and I were deciding to have dinner "out" and she asked me to select
the restaurant. I had a place I wanted to go, but suddenly changed my mind, turned around
and headed along Pacific Coast Highway, at just the time Jonathan made his appearance.
People like you and me can be answers to prayer. The three of us had a wonderful dinner
together, and afterwards we noted with interest that his ability to use a "slide
board" had remarkably improved - he could get in and out of the car with comparative
ease. My mechanical skills have NOT improved, though I DID finally get his wheelchair
dismantled for the trip to Newport Beach.
Jonathan is learning to TRUST in the Holy Spirit of God (as do all who receive the
Son). He is learning, as we are, the value of prayer; by the precious gift of TRUST, given
through the Son of God.
A. B. Simpson said, a few decades ago, "Be not afraid, only believe. And if you
are afraid, just look up and say, 'What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee,' and you
will yet thank God for the school of sorrow which was to you the school of faith."
"Sorrow" sounds bad, but the effects in our lives of Godly sorrow are –
wonderful!
As we saw anew in last week's Sunday Sermon about Pastor Dennis Broxton – Indeed,
"Tribulation produces patience" (or "perseverance" - Romans 5:3). And it also produces FAITH. It
has been my experience that "faith comes by hearing and hearing
by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). Indeed, the Bible brought me to Christ and
filled as it is with the Holy Spirit of God – it has changed my life. It is "POWERFUL" and it can CHANGE people like you, Jonathan, and me
(Hebrews 4:12).
The way this often works is that the very sufferings and trouble we encounter in life
(the experiences we normally avoid) can actually become catalysts that bring us closer to
God. The troubles in my life drove me to His Word, and in that Book I found the Lord.
Jesus said "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" (Luke 9:23). The "cross" of Christ (in your life) may take a lot of different
forms, but those troubles can lead you to Him.
A few mornings ago, we heard the testimony of a man who lost his job. It WAS a disaster
for them, because he was out of work for a year. But his life was actually blessed and
made better than before, by God's deliverance, during and after that time.
William Taylor said, "The strength of the vessel can be demonstrated only by the
hurricane, and the power of the Gospel can be fully shown only when the Christian is
subjected to some fiery trial. If God would make manifest the fact that 'He giveth songs
in the night,' He must first make it night."
The purpose of God in the lives of people like Abraham, Mueller, Simpson, Taylor,
Merchant, and you and me, is to give us faith that will sustain us. He will help the
"outer man", but trust comes first. You and I often look to alleviating outward
circumstances, but God wants you to be FREE, so you are full of love and fit for eternity.
Trust like Abraham. Learn patience in the "great trials" of George Mueller.
Listen to the Lord and pray, like Jonathan Merchant. Find the "patience" of
Dennis Broxton, Believe like A. B. Simpson. Let your "vessel" be tested in the
"hurricane" like William Taylor. And, of course, do all as God leads. Never do
harm to yourself but instead, TRUST Him in the troubles of life. And the God of peace will
be with you.
Ron Beckham
Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
www.fridaystudy.org
Ron@fridaystudy.org |
