Many of the best choices require faith in outcomes as yet unseen. If you want ripe tomatoes in the Summer, you must do planting in the early Springtime. If you want to build a financial reserve for the future, you must invest regularly putting aside money you most certainly could use today! Parents who want their children to become productive, responsible adults have to do the hard work of teaching, modeling, and leading those children over many years.
So, where do we get the faith to do these kinds of things? We remember previous years when seeds grew into plants that produced a harvest. We check out investment models that show how saving and interest create wealth. We listen to the stories of previous generations, people who endured discipline and are now reaping the reward of character and godliness.
As we walk with the Lord, days will come when the promises of God will be hidden from us. It will seem that our lives are just a constant struggle with temptation. As we look around, we will see people choosing to live for the day, gratifying the desires of the moment, and apparently finding great joy. It will, from our point of view, look like those who live without a reference to eternity gain greater fulfillment and pleasure in abundance. In that moment, we need FAITH that gives us long-range vision.
Where does that kind of faith come from? It is fed and strengthened by the truth of the Scripture. But, there is another place where it is fed, too. We need to be connected with generations past, those who have lived through difficulties, droughts, and disappointment and emerged on the other side to see the faithfulness of their God. Their witness will help us stay steady.
Take a look at this passage from Malachi. "You have said harsh things against me,” says the LORD. “Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’ “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.’”
Then those who feared (respected and honored) the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. “They will be mine,” says the LORD Almighty, “in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.” (Malachi 3, NIV)
They remembered, they wrote the testimonies down, and the Spirit encouraged them. God promised them that as they honored Him over time, with sincere and faithful service, He would make clear that there were blessings for those who loved Him.
Christian, are you tempted to walk away from your place of calling in God? Are you considering putting your commitment to Christ and His Church on the back burner, doing your own thing because you’re just tired of it all? Have you allowed disappointment to become disillusionment that has wrecked your faith?
Feed your soul with some biographies of great Christians. Connect with an old saint whose faith is strong, fresh, and full of appreciation for the goodness of God. Get yourself to a place of worship (not to be confused exclusively with ‘church’) where you can invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you in the deepest places of your heart. Draw the strength you need to keep investing, to keep planting, to say an unqualified ‘yes’ to the call of God.
Here is a word from the Word. In it there is warning and promise. May the Lord encourage you today.
"Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.
"Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith." (Galatians 6:7-10, NLT)
______________
Good, Good Father
I've heard a thousand stories
Of what they think You’re like
But I've heard the tender whisper
Of love in the dead of night
You tell me that You’re pleased
And that I'm never alone
You're a Good, Good Father
It's who You are
It's who You are
It's who You are
And I'm loved by You
It's who I am
It's who I am
It's who I am
I've seen many searching for answers
Far and wide
But I know we're all searching for answers
Only You provide
Because You know just what we need
Before we say a word
You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us
Love so undeniable I can hardly speak
Peace so unexplainable I can hardly think
As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still
Into love, love, love
Anthony Brown | Pat Barrett
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