Don't be afraid; just believe!
This is what Jesus tells a man whose daughter is dead. What a choice this man had to make between fear for obvious reason and faith in an unseen improbability.
Here the improbable happens. Jesus raises his child from the dead.
He took her by the hand and said, "My child, get up!" Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up.
This father faced a difficult decision. Fear told him it was all over. Dead people don’t come back to life.
But His heart told him to listen to Jesus and trust Him. He wanted to believe.
This is the choice everyone faces. Sometimes in circumstances equally devastating, but more often in normal day-to-day situations!
Reality always takes us to this same point of decision. Beyond what we see, hear and know are the choices: fear or faith. Doubt or trust!
At this point, the Teacher always counsels to choose faith.
This is never easy. But neither is living in fear and doubt!
So it’s our choice.
Students of Jesus listen to the Teacher. In His presence they learn to choose faith.
Excellent point - to choose faith.
ReplyDeleteWhat do we hope for? In the big picture of life, what do we "hope" or desire to have? Needs met, peace, joy. Wouldn't those be in the top 5?
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
God has promised our needs would be met, that we can have peace that surpasses understanding, and we can and should rejoice in the Lord. Only if we live by faith.
Choosing faith is the better way of life, when fear strikes through tragedies and tough situations, as well as the every day mundane routine - Faith is the better choice.
How are we at really doing that?
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6-7)