Living With Certainty....

It’s going on three weeks, and Sam’s still not out of the hospital. Though he’s off all the medicines and IV’s, the doctor’s are taking a conservative approach in introducing food to him. Needless to say, we’ve spent many hours in the rocking chair, watching him eat and sleep. But the doctors are hopeful that Sam will be out of the hospital by the end of this week or early next week.

One of the blessings in going through this is that we’ve had plenty of time to reevaluate our life—where we’re at, what we’re doing and whether we’re missing the mark or not concerning the things of the Lord. Several verses have jumped out….

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 (NIV).

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

Specifically, the Lord has zeroed in on one issue—faithfulness. The Lord wants us to be faithful. He wants us to stay at the task of living for Him. He wants us to know Him and trust him with certainty. He wants us to know that we don’t serve Him in vain. He wants us to be at peace, content and victorious; not unstable, discontent and plagued with carnal thoughts. The Lord wants us to be led by Him, not distant from Him.

Again, I was challenged. It’s easy to attend church services and even talk about the Lord, but in my heart of hearts have I really given myself fully to the Lord, to His work? Is my life characterized by faithfulness, by certainty? Or am I living at a distance, discontent and going through the motions of Christianity?

If you’re weighed down by cares and concerns, or just simply not sure or happy, the best place to be is in the Bible, reading the Word of God. It’s funny-- when you lay everything aside and prayerfully spend some time there, the Lord will speak and bring things to your attention that, on the surface, are unrelated.

Oftentimes, He’ll reveal something to you about Himself in such a way that it draws out the issues of your own heart, and exposes them so He can help you deal with them. Then it becomes an issue of obedience.

Do I agree with what the Lord has revealed or do I contest it? Reasoning around an issue and attempting to justify it is a good indication that it's sin. We simply need to accept the conviction of the Holy Spirit, confess whatever it is as sin, and ask the Lord for His grace to enable us to repent. God will give us grace; and with our obedience, He will impart joy, peace and a renewed sense of faith.

Praise the Lord for His faithfulness! May He find us faithful.