What are the benefits of faith?
What does faith bring of great value and worth??
If we are to be helpful to other people, we have to show
that our faith works. We have to be able to share the joy of faith.
Consuming some Scripture might help, so that we can live
it and breathe it in a very public and relational way.
They say ‘we are what we eat’! Well then, we should
consume Scripture, so that this is what we live and breathe … who we are!!
Let’s start with Isaiah 40:28-31.
·
These verses have the context of people
who are living unknowing who God is – “Have you not known … have you not heard”?
·
We then read about the everlasting God who
created everything. This would of course include God’s very personal creation
of us – suggesting a high level of investment in how this creation turns out!
Can God ever lose sight of me? Of anyone?? No!!!
·
Whereas many things remain a mystery to us
in this universe and also in the course of our daily lives, it all makes sense
to God. Because of this we can rely on God to be working in our best interests …
if we allow Him to.
·
And God never tires of his benevolent work
– “[God] does not faint or grow weary”.
·
And further, God does not keep His
strength simply to himself, but willingly and actively gives it to us (refer
verse 29); and we would have to confess to really needing this (refer verse
30). God does not share His strength on a whim nor as an occasional act, but
rather as a part of who He is (Motyer). God knows our frailty – we were
designed to be in relationship with God … if we are to survive and flourish.
God gives His “power” to the one lacking courage, and God gives His strength to
the one lacking their own resources.
·
It is those who “wait for the Lord” who
will have their strength renewed. What does it mean to “wait” for the Lord?? This
is also translated “hope in the Lord” and “trust in the Lord”. There is here a
patient expectation that God will provide!! This is the opposite of worry and
frantic activity.
·
Those who have “waited” and their strength
has been renewed, will be able to “run” through the busy (or exceptionally
difficult) times without keeling over, and be able to “walk” with integrity
through the normal routine of life without fear. Such strength can be
continually renewed … perhaps an implication of this is that we can actually
gain greater permanent levels of strength, effectiveness and influence as we continually
“wait” on God or draw closer to God. Another idea behind this “renewing” of strength
is replacing or ‘exchanging’ our old worn out strength with God’s ever-resilient
effectiveness. This also connects well with the idea of God working through us
most effectively in our weakness or as we are empty vessels.
Then we can try Romans 5:1-2.
·
In one of the real highpoints of Paul’s letter,
we read that the forgiveness that Jesus has brought to us has resulted in the
gift of peace with God. In this state of peace with God, we can also experience
a peace within ourselves … a peace about ourselves. We don’t have to fight
ourselves! Yes, we are far from perfect. Yes, we have a long way to go. But God
accepts us, and we, as a result, are changing for the better. Now that surely
is something worth celebrating!
·
Indeed … it is through this experience of grace
and the peace that results, that we can “boast in our hope of sharing the glory
of God”. This is NOT a prideful demonstration of exclusive superiority –
FAR FROM IT. This IS a whole of life and whole of character demonstration
of the wonder and effectiveness of an ever-loving God!! This is an ever-loving
God that works His ways through us toward ‘Kingdom’ objectives.
·
This “boasting” or “rejoicing” comes from a very
clear awareness of where we have come from … frailty, lost-ness, need, and then
a confidence in what God (and God alone) has brought about in our lives … peace,
hope, purpose. Having said this, we can be genuinely pleased and thankful that
we are participating (in a growing way) in the life of God. ‘Look, see, what
the Lord has done in me’!
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