Isaiah 7:9 ” ‘If you do not stand firm in your faith,
you will not stand at all.’ ”

I am often critical of the NIV translation for various reasons, but at this spot I like it very much. (The Japanese just says, “If you don’t believe, you won’t stand for long.”) The principle is one that is true throughout Scripture, but this is one of the most pithy expressions of it. From the human standpoint, faith is the foundation for everything. As it says in Hebrews 11:6, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” If we don’t please God, we have no reason to exist! Jesus said, “Everything is possible for him who believes.” (Mark 9:23) We tend to be analytical about our faith, bemoaning our lack of it, when the general Biblical admo­nition is to use whatever faith you have. James goes on at length about the need for faith to be practical rather than theoretical. It is my conviction that your theology can be all over the place, but if you cling to Christ in faith, you’re fine. That’s not to say that I don’t think theology is important, but simply that it’s secondary to faith. That’s why Jesus said we must become as little children if we are to enter God’s kingdom. (Matthew 18:3) Children don’t analyze, they trust. It is true that children can be easy to deceive, but if our fear of being deceived keeps us from trusting God, we’re in deep trouble.

My most intense encounter with this verse came about 14 years ago. We were building this church building, and frankly, the money had run out. The banks wouldn’t touch us, because we had gotten half way through without talking to them, and banks don’t like that. It got so bad that, frankly, I was tempted to throw myself in front of one of the trains that regularly pass by here. However, God came through, we sold some church bonds and worked out a payment plan with each of the creditors involved in the construction, and about five years later it was all paid off, including the bonds. I went through a lot of suffering because I wasn’t exercising the faith I had, but I think I learned my lesson. In contrast, when we were going through procedures this year to buy the land the building stands on, I had no question that God would come through, and we have a purchase contract that is not a strain on our current budget but still allows us to pay it off early, and all at zero interest! Finances are ultimately of very little importance on the eternal scale, but they certainly test our faith. In the current economy, those who are trusting finances rather than trusting God are in for a rough ride! As a pastor, I need to lead people to stand firm in faith whatever their circumstances, and be a clear example myself that it is indeed possible to do so, so that all of God’s plans for us may be fulfilled.

Father, thank You for Your amazing faithfulness. Help me indeed trust You fully, and lead others to do the same, so that nothing will stand between us and You, for our blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!