Wednesday, June 20, 2018
2 Corinthians 4:13-14 (NIV84) It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.
EVEN A MUSTARD SEED FAITH CAN DO GREAT THINGS (2)
One of the remarkable aspects of the faith which the Holy Spirit has planted within our hearts is that it is a confidence we have even though our lives in this world are touched by fiery trials. From outward appearances, looked at purely from a worldly point of view, it would seem to be the height of nonsense to think that a life of unending future glory awaits us. We Christians are not immune from troubles. We experience them just as unbelievers do. It wouldn't take long for any one of us to tick off on our fingers painful things we have experienced or are presently enduring (things like physical suffering, thorny problems at home or work, the heartache of loved ones taken away by death). In the face of such troubles it would seem to be foolhardy and silly to have within us the spirit of faith which says:
Through Jesus' blood and merit I am at peace with God.
What, then, can daunt my spirit, However dark my road?
My courage shall not fail me, For God is on my side;
Though hell itself assail me, Its rage I may deride.
There's nothing that can sever From this great love of God;
No want, no pain whatever, No famine, peril, flood.
Though thousand foes surround me, For slaughter mark His sheep,
They never shall confound me, The vict'ry I shall reap.
(Lutheran Service Book, 746:1-2)
That you can sing these words-- and do so with conviction (by the Spirit's working in your heart)-- is remarkable! We may well call it mountain-moving faith.
