Friday, May 30, 2014

Faith Check

The request didn't seem that unusual.  Disciples today make it all the time and yet, Jesus' response was quick and pointed: "A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah" (Matt 16:4).

I know that I've asked for the Lord to give me a sign, to show me the path, to let me know He was in support of a decision or to let me know that He was there. Would Jesus, therefore, group me with a wicked and adulterous generation?

No, not for asking. But yes, if demanding. The Pharisees and Sadducees who made the request were really demanding proof of Jesus' authority as a test. They were not acting in faith, they were testing the grounds for faith trying to put God on trial. 

We could be guilty of the same if we demand God heal our loved one and question His goodness or power if He chooses otherwise. When we insist that He fix our financial failure or repair our failed relationship to get our trust, we are placing personal testimony above the testimony of the Word, the creation and the cross, demanding a sign in order to accept His authority and divine power. 

True faith, built upon the evidence of biblical testimony, divine design and personal relationship with the Lord, does not require that God act according to one's desire: "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us...But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up" (Dan 3:17-18).

The point?  In faith, we ought to present our requests to God and trust that He will do what is right and good, regardless of our desire.  Requests made in faith over faith determined by answers.  Jus' Sayn. 

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