As we begin this new year,
are we looking ahead with fear and anxiety…
or faith and expectation?
These past three years have been exhausting.
We held our breath
and hoped that Covid would be over quickly.
But anytime we even dared to exhale,
another variant would slam the door
on any promise to which we were clinging.
During times like these,
how do we maintain a faith
that isn’t dead before it gets out of the starting blocks?
Sometime around the year 550 BC,
the nation of Israel had been taken into captivity
in the land of Babylon.
Three Hebrew young men
(Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego)
refused to submit to the pressures of their culture.
The King said, “If you don’t bow down to me
I’m going to throw you in the fiery furnace!”
Here’s their response:
“Our God is able to deliver us.
And he will.
But even if he doesn’t
we still won’t bow down to you!”
Growing up, I heard lots of sermons
that suggested that they had a strong faith
(He is able… and He will…}
but then they started to doubt:
(But even if He doesn’t…)
Friends, I have been around the block long enough
to know that this “even if” faith
is actually the deepest expression of faith.
Is God able to deliver us? Of course!
Is God going to deliver us? Yes, we believe He is!
But let me be very clear:
- Even if God doesn’t give me what I am praying for…
- Even if God does not answer my prayer the way I hope He will…
- Even if it seems like I can never catch a break…
- Even if I get stuck in a revolving door of Liminal Space…
- Even if I have more questions than answers…
- Even if I am not delivered…
- Even if I am not healed…
- Even if I have a bad day…
- Even if life isn’t fair…
- Even if 2023 makes 2022 look like a cakewalk…
… I am NOT going to give up my faith in
a God who loves me so much that
He died on a Cross
And rose from the Grave
To give me Eternal Life!!!!!
Amen?
I invite you to use this form to share your prayer request with me.
