3 posts tagged “faith”
"For the purification of the unclean person, they are to take some of the ashes of the burnt sin offering, put them in a jar, and add fresh water to them. A person who is clean is to take hyssop, dip it in the water and sprinkle the tent and all its furnishings, and the people who were there. He is also to sprinkle the one who touched a bone, a grave, a corpse, or a person who had been killed." (Num. 19 17-18)
The majority of commands in the Torah make perfect sense by todays
medical & scientific standards. For instance, the kosher dietary
laws have been proven to direct people into healthier eating patterns.
Pertaining to matters of personal hygiene, the Lord directed Israel to
avoid mold spores & contagions, centuries before the microscope was
invented.
Forgive me for not detailing the practical nature of all 613 Torah commands, because my point is simply that it took a great level of faith for the community of Israel to follow, what seemed like, senseless orders from Moses. There was only Gods word, and no practical science to support it. Only later many generations later did scientists discover the practical observable scientific foundations for Gods instruction.
I wish I could identify with Moses more in the book of Numbers. Sadly, I find myself empathizing with the grumbling Israelite community. This was especially true when I was a younger disciple. So many of Gods commands seemed needlessly inefficient and laborious. I wondered when I was ever going to enter that life of freedom and abundant joy I heard other Christians talk about.
Shortly after choosing to follow Jesus, I found myself longing for day-trips back to Egypt, so to speak .just to remember the good old days of guiltless abandon. That never really turned out like I wanted, and eventually I learned to appreciate God and take Him at His word.
Im writing this to encourage you to trust Jesus by faith, and stick with it. Proverbs 3: 5-12
How does ash from an offering mixed with water purify a man and his household? Is it purely symbolic, or is there some medicinal property to this elixir? I have no idea. I just know to trust the Lords word over my instincts.
Blessings.
Steve Wiggins
“Moses said to the Lord, ‘Look, You have told me, “Lead this people up”, but You have not let me know whom you will send with me. You said, “ I know you by name, and you have found favor in My sight.” Now if I have found favor in Your sight, please teach me Your ways, and I will know You and find favor on Your sight. Now consider that this nation is your people.’” (Exodus 33: 12-13)
“Mother Teresa says, ‘You’ll never know Jesus is all you need, until Jesus is all you have. Moses understood the importance of going with God. He had seen the destruction of Pharaoh’s army, and the judgment Israel when they denied the Lord. Moses wanted to know God’s ways, but he never could have predicted God’s methods of instruction…bonding His people to Himself, and each other, by means of shared adversity.
For Moses & Israel, the next several decades would be a constant stream of faith-stretching trials. Why would the Lord choose this method of character building, as opposed to lavishing abundance & prosperity upon His children?
Perhaps, the answer is found in Moses’ discussion with God. Similar to their conversation at the burning bush, Moses seems to have a difficult time taking God at His word. Even though God told Moses He would be with him, Moses still seeks signs.
It is said in business, “Speed of the leader, speed of the team.” That is to say, if Moses had faith problems, there was no way Israel would be ready to follow. Faith is muscle, that must be exercised. It takes desire and discipline to grow.
A young man once came to the philosopher Socrates, searching for wisdom. Socrates was sitting beside a river, so the young man sat down beside him. ‘I want you to teach me to be wise,’ he said. Without warning, Socrates grasped the young man by the neck and thrust his head under the water. The man struggled and flailed until Socrates finally let him up. As he gasped for air Socrates said, ‘When you seek wisdom as you sought air, you’ll have it.’”
God gives His Word and Spirit to reveal His nature & ways to His children. Our life experience with both is what builds faith.
Blessings.
Exodus 23
“For I will place the inhabitants of the land under your control, and you will drive them out ahead of you. You must not make a covenant with them or their gods. They must not remain in your land, or else they will make you sin against Me. If you worship their gods, it will be a snare for you.” Exodus 23: 32b-33
These verses have all three components of salvation & victorious living: Grace, Works, and Faith.
The passage might be viewed as a metaphor for personal salvation, with our bodies representing the “land”. After all, mankind began as nothing more than God’s breath on a handful of dirt! Gen 2: 7
The “former inhabitants” represent the sinful ways that used to control us. “Israel” represents us, our souls, delivered. The “idols/gods” are the goals that sin nature pursues.
GRACE - The system God allows, whereby mankind can be saved through faith is, itself, Grace. Ephesians 2: 8-9. Deliverance/salvation through man’s faithful belief is God’s gift. Otherwise, we would only be considered righteous by virtue of our works. “For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.” Rom 3: 23. We could never do enough “good” to earn salvation.
God’s Grace was displayed in this passage by His placing of Israel in control of the “former inhabitants”. Accepting God’s Grace means we faithfully believe God has delivered us. Even though “former inhabitants” may still be present, He promises to go before us, driving them out in proportion to our faithful willingness to fight. Rom 6:23
FAITH - Saving knowledge of the unseen meant that Israel had to trust God against unknown lands, nations, and gods. Israel drove out the land’s former inhabitants to the extent that they had faith in God’s promise. Do you believe God’s promise of salvation, to the extent that you would forcefully turn from your sin, sending the message, “Don’t come back!”?
WORKS - The “life” of faith is Works. Believer, have you continued to discipline yourself, armed with God’s promise, to drive out those “former inhabitants”? Work hard to destroy all goals & motivations that would cause you to abandon God?
We are not saved by faith & works. We are, Gracefully, saved by Faith that Works.
Blessings.
Steve Wiggins
