Meditations Upon Mark 11:24 - Part One

 

Meditations Upon Mark 11:24

Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

 

This verse is one of the most abused passages in the Bible. Televangelists treat it as if it were their “Magna Carta” for supernatural healing and extraordinary spiritual events. Misguidedly seeking material acquisition and financial gain, many disciples allow them to scratch their itching ears with a vile reductionism of this verse and its context. They eagerly listen to the concept of “Ask it, name it and claim it.”

 

What did those words mean to the people who originally heard them? How did they respond? What did the evangelist intend using those words? Has anything been lost in the translation from Greek to English? Biblical authors wrote in word pictures. What mental image did the evangelist intend for his hearers and readers to formulate in response to his directive? What exactly does it mean to have faith in God?

 

Let’s deconstruct the verses. Does “Have” mean to possess? How does a disciple acquire faith? What is faith? Does referring to synonyms such as belief, trust and reliance suffice to define faith? Admittedly, “in God” presumes God’s existence and acceptance of this concept. How does a disciple ask anything of God? What does it mean to “believe?” How would a disciple prove his or her belief? How would you receive something intangible? The evangelist instructs his readers to affirm that they have already acquired the object of their heartfelt desire without being able to physically hold it. The passage alludes to a forthcoming  time when the objects of a disciple’s prayer will manifest before him or her. What difference will answers  to these questions make?

 

The author of Hebrews defines faith as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen. Faith demands an unwavering belief that your investment of time, talent, treasure and temperament toward a dream, goal or ambition will yield success. Faith enables you to see success before you practically achieve it. Your belief in your abilities, capabilities, capacities and endowments sustain you as you painstakingly pursue fulfillment of your goals and aspirations. With the inner eye, you can see success before it happens. The spiritual disciplines of prayer, meditation and affirmation are like oil in the lamp to guide your path during darkness, doubt and fear.

 

The evangelist specifies that disciples are to have faith in Almighty God. I posit that he does not disdain belief in one’s own self. Self-esteem is a nonnegotiable attribute for anyone who seeks to achieve anything meaningful. If you do not believe in yourself, then you cannot expect anyone else to do so. Nevertheless, the evangelist specifies that we put our faith in Almighty God. Therein, we assert an unequivocal belief and trust in God’s ability and grace to impart the objects of our petitions. We trust God to answer our prayers in accordance with His sovereign will and divine plan for our individual lives and humankind. A belief in Almighty God requires an assertion of His four immutable characteristics. He is infinite and limitless in knowledge, power, presence and kindness. He possesses the power and prerogative to grant our prayers. Also, He has the sovereignty to deny them for whatever reason He chooses.

 

As it relates to any measure of faith necessary to achieve a favorable outcome, the evangelist in Matthew’s gospel depicts the minimally requisite amount. He says that faith the size of a mustard seed is powerful enough to move a mountain. With a mustard seed’s size of faith, disciples can command mountains to cast themselves into the sea. Practically, this means that disciples can merely entertain an idea that their circumstances can be different. Are you willing to believe that God indeed can heal your major health challenges? We are twenty-first century, global and pluralistic disciples. Many of us uncritically accept the scientific method as the most reliable means of determining truth and reality. However, do we like our first century counterparts genuinely rely upon our Heavenly Father to intervene favorably in our affairs? Notwithstanding science, technology, social science, psychology and reason, is there any merit to petitioning God to intervene within our circumstances? Are we willing to entertain the idea? A mustard seed of faith equates with a humble willingness to believe God will suspend natural law and readjust your situation? Certainly, He will should He elect to utilize you and your predicament to glorify Himself. Like the experientially and existentially exhausted father in Mark 9:23, you may cry aloud, “Lord, I believe but help Thou my unbelief!” A mustard seed of faith is incomplete, but it is not insincere or inadequate.

Meditations Upon Mark 11:24 - Part Two

 

Meditations Upon Mark 11:24

Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

What are our motives in asking God for access to His infinite wisdom and power? Do we ask for supernatural favors to avoid hard work, saving, patience and disciplined stewardship of time, finances and talents? Do we ask God to nullify the laws of nature, extraordinarily heal us to enable us to regularly watch late morning television shows while having a second bowl of cereal or oatmeal? Do we ask God to bless us at someone else’s expense? Do we allow jealousy, resentment, favoritism, anger and other toxic emotions to seep into our hearts, minds and prayers? It is necessary to clarify our motives. Are there any lingering ulterior motivations? Are we being completely and perhaps brutally honest in our requests?

 

How do we receive intangible rewards? We possess them internally seeing them with the eyes of heart and soul. Paul prays for the Ephesians, in the first chapter and eighteenth verse, that Almighty God will open the eyes of their hearts and enlighten them as it relates to His will for them. Through dreams, meditations, affirmations and active imagination, God allows us to see beyond natural reality. As we diligently utilize those spiritual practices, we can see weddings, births, graduations, ribbon cutting ceremonies, award presentations and other major accomplishments and milestones years before they happen. Doggedly, we hold and nurture these visions while simultaneously taking concrete steps to actualize them. Shameless persistence is necessary to realize our heart’s desires.

 

I have a friend whose unwavering determination to become a wife and mother exemplifies the objectives of this passage. She attended college during a period of heightened feminism, social instability and unbridled emphasis upon career and monetary advancement. Women were encouraged to delay marriage and children until they had achieved a certain level of professional success. Career advancement was deemed more necessary and significant than family life and personal relationships. Accordingly, many women began to believe that they would not marry or have children. One of the sisters in her inner circle boldly declared to the others, “We simply need to accept the fact that we will never get married and have children and a family.” In response, my friend faithfully, courageously and unapologetically said, “I do not accept that reality for me. Being a wife and mother has always been important to me. I know that I will be good at both. I know that I will be both a wife and a mother.” My friend’s words were unwavering statements of faith in God’s will, grace and provision. Her words straightforwardly specified the desires of her heart. She did not equivocate on her requests. She trusted God to provide her heart’s deepest desires. She received and embraced marriage and motherhood as she fervently prepared for them. Not surprisingly, three decades later, she celebrated her thirtieth wedding anniversary which coincided with her daughter’s graduation from college.

 

This friend’s statements and actions perfectly demonstrate the meaning of the word, “believe,” in this verse. From the Greek language, the word in its verbal form translates as “to persuade or be persuaded.” As a noun, the word means “faith, trust or certainty.” To have faith means to act as someone who has been persuaded into certainty. What convinces disciples of the necessity of having faith, especially in difficult situations and amid challenging factors? God’s unfailing love and unquestionable over extended periods yields certainty of faith. God’s answers disciples’ prayers as they accord with His sovereign will and providential prerogatives and purposes. Prayer is a means for disciples to more greatly acquire the mind, heart and character of the Lord Jesus Christ. As William Barclay declares in his commentary on the Gospel of Mark in The Daily Study Bible Series, prayer offers an opportunity for transformation. It is not a spiritual locale to offer a grocery list of petitions to satisfy personal desires, alleviate fear, add to the bottom figure on the balance sheet, establish a designer brand for purchases or otherwise prosper bountifully and enjoy longstanding health. Nevertheless, the evangelist links perseverance in faith in God by combining a respect for His will and purposes with a genuine reliance upon His love, grace and faithfulness.

 

It is important to note that faith in God assumes both reasonable, relational and experiential knowledge of Him. “To persuade” encompasses logic and analytical reflection. Theology in its simplest form is rational thought about God’s existence, character, revelation and actions. The prevalent anti-intellectualism that afflicts American Christianity particularly amid televangelists, megachurch pastors and lay leaders and local congregations denigrates the faith and impedes evangelism. The twenty-first century global village and marketplace with its uncritical reliance upon science, technology, social science, psychology and deference to pluralism, secularism and moral relativism requires a contemporary intellectually respectable articulation of the Christian Gospel. The certainty of faith must be dependent upon more than “a warm, burning feeling in  [the] heart.” Dramatic and emotional conversion scenarios and sincere personal experiences do not suffice to persuade non-Christians of the existential worth of knowing Christ. Disciples do not honor the Lord or His salvific work with inadequate and insufficient appeals to convincer nonbelievers. The Bible exhorts disciples to embrace lifelong study of Christ’s teachings as an incalculable and nonnegotiable component of discipleship. An argument for the reasonableness of Christianity amid increasing religious pluralism and ecumenism. Utilizing analytical tools and critical methods of history, philosophy and science, Christians can maintain a socially relevant, intelligent, empirical and morally pragmatic faith.

Meditations Upon Faith - Romans 4:16-24 - Part Five

 

Meditations Upon Faith – Romans 4:16-24 – Part Five

 

 

Abraham’s belief earns him a divine commendation; the distinction, “credited to him as righteousness.”  This description indicates legal language. Centuries after Abraham lived, members of the Sanhedrin, the predominant council of religious leaders in Israel including Pharisees and Sadducees, appealed to the black letters of the Law to establish righteousness. To justify themselves before God and the people, they split hairs and divide atomic particles. Incredulously, they construct a hedge around the Law to ensure that they would not violate it. If the Law allowed forty lashes in delving out punishment, they ordered disciplinarians to stop at thirty-nine licks. Technically, they remained righteous as they did not violate the Law. This pretentious righteousness offends God’s holy and gracious character. The affirmative characterization of righteousness belongs to disciples whose relationship with God yields honor and glory through obedience to His holy character from which the Law emerges. Disciples respect God’s holiness by making daily choices that reflect their belief in Him. They rebuff  idols and false gods. They forsake self-centered lifestyles. They discard self-seeking motives. The highest honor and act of worship that disciples can demonstrate to God is to have unwavering faith in Him.

 

Paul discourses upon  Abraham’s incomparable example to encourage Christians in Rome. Like “the father of faith,” they face a daily existential crisis. Will they unconditionally trust the Lord Jesus Christ and devote their lives to Him? How will they remain faithful amid the legal threats of emperor worship which demanded allegiance to Rome from everyone? Will they resist myriad temptations of Roman society including paganism, brothels, bath houses, temple prostitutes, tax extortion, military subjugation, slavery and compulsory service and loyalty to the Roman government? Consider the frightening nature of being a committed Christian disciple within those daily life-threatening challenges. The Lord deems those disciples whose strength of belief and dedication empowers them to remain committed notwithstanding those adversities to be faithful. He accordingly credits them as being righteousness.

 

It is important to note that righteousness does not equate with self-aggrandizing adherence to religious creeds, rites, rituals and rules. As mentioned above, the Pharisees and Sadducees engaged that fallacy with their interpretation and alleged obedience to the Law. They devised schemes to quantify their righteousness. Rather than studying the Law to learn about Almighty God’s holy character, they utilize it to justify themselves before Him. Their obedience should honor and glorify Him. Instead, they employ their self-righteousness to extort their fellow Israelites. They seek good grades in their religiosity. Their pretentious observance of traditions, codes and creeds impedes their knowledge of God. They are lost in a self-serving theological maze which prevents them from rightly relating themselves to God. Adherence to God’s dictates emerges from a relationship with Him. Disciples align their lifestyles with the Lord’s Gospel and teachings as an act of lifelong worship and devotion to Him. Disciples freely commit to a lifetime of studying the Word of God to better understand God and ways in which to serve Him. Christian discipleship is most evident in lifestyle choices borne of unequivocal faith in Christ than in mere intellectual and theoretical assent to the Lord’s teachings.

 

The Fourth Evangelist recalls the Lord’s teachings on righteousness. “If you love me, keep my commands.” (John 14:15) Love, commitment and devotion to the Lord compels obedience to Hs commands not a fallacious attempt to appear religious and upstanding in the eyes of fellow congregants and community residents. Worship and righteousness are most apparent in a Christian’s lifestyle. Moreover, Abraham’s example reflects the seminal role of faith in being in right relationship with Almighty God. His obedience and faith interchangeably compel each other. Christians in the Roman Empire dismissed the intimidation of emperor worship and prevalent licentiousness because they wholeheartedly believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. They, like Abraham who believes God’s covenantal promises, fervently trust Christ’s promises in establishing the new covenant. Their faith in Christ is credited to them as righteousness.

 

Parenthetically, righteousness is more than strict adherence to petty moral dictates like rules about clothing, drinking, smoking, gambling, sex, sexuality and observance of religious traditions. I do not underestimate the potential of any of these activities to cause considerable damage to disciples and their families. Anyone who is not persuaded of the existence of evil obviously has not experienced the human destruction of addiction. Illicit and illegal drugs fuel considerable crime in American society. Arguably, we cannot compute the costs of alcoholism in damage to property, legal proceedings, adverse effects upon families and communities and loss of life. Beyond the financial losses, there are intangible and incalculable costs. Myriad other addictions ruin families and result in early deaths. Nevertheless, were disciples to approach these activities with Pauline discretion, their self-discipline and moderation would prevent them from lapsing into addictive behaviors. It is farcical to believe demanding abstinence and restraint in all recreational activities are primary determinants of discipleship. Church goers who subscribe to this fallacious thinking fail to see the incongruence between their emphasis upon how someone dresses to attend Sunday morning worship services and their indifference to human pain and suffering in their local community.

 

Meditations Upon Faith - Romans 4:16-24 - Part Six

 

Meditations Upon Faith – Romans 4:16-24 – Part Six

 

It is peculiar to observe disciples who are very proud of their conservative Christian ideology, politics and lifestyle while simultaneously tolerating social injustices of racism, classism, militarism, misogyny, imperialism and myriad other sociopolitical and geopolitical inequities. To be fair, disciples from a liberal ideological perspective have ravaged mainline denominations and local churches about the issue of sexuality to gain acceptance of their lifestyle choices while remaining equally indifferent about the foregoing societal dilemmas. Cynically, some of them can tolerate a parade of social ills as long they achieve psychosocial respectability and theological sanction of their preferences and lifestyle. They seem willing to destroy longstanding institutions to achieve this goal. Though espousing rhetoric opposing social injustice, they do not fight it with any vigor. In their private beliefs and choices, some of them are the biggest example of everything that they allegedly oppose. As I write, I immediately think of several people whom I knew in graduate school and with whom I worked. Their liberalism appeared as self-seeking and self-aggrandizing as the conservatism that they fiercely condemned in other people. The practice of spiritual disciplines, especially self-reflection and introspection, is necessary lest we proudly condemn in other people’s lives the very actions that we so easily forgive in our own. Nonetheless, irrespective of disciples’ position on the ideological spectrum, tolerating genocide and uncritically supporting a regime that furthers it can hardly be characterized as righteousness. The failure to comprehend these inconsistencies and grapple with the moral quandary that they create undermines any claims of righteousness and religiosity.

 

Ever the apostle to the Gentiles, Paul, in the twenty-third and twenty-fourth verses, emphasizes that God’s promises to Abraham extends to everyone who believes. The commendation of righteousness and its ensuing rewards belong to those of us who believe in a miracle far greater than the birth of Isaac. Following Abraham’s example in his belief that Almighty God would fulfill the promise of giving him a natural heir despite its scientific impossibility, we believe in God’s ability to conceive a son via the Holy Spirit and no male human participation. Furthermore, His “One and Only Begotten Son” is the “Anointed One” who preaches, teaches and heals during a three-year earthly ministry that culminates in His death on a cross. Amazingly, we believe that God raised His Son from the dead. Belief in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead is a far greater triumph over natural law and science. The Lord credits as righteous those disciples who believe in resurrection. Beyond accumulation of material possessions and financial gain, the daily blessings of redemption, transformation and revitalization unfold in the lives of disciples who believe in God’s ability and willingness to perform these miracles.

 

The final verse on this passage reminds us of the atoning work of Christ. In this very pastoral letter to the Christians in Rome, Paul clarifies two doctrinal matters. With the zealous complicity of religious leaders, the Lord Jesus Christ was delivered over to the Roman governmental authorities. His death serves as an atoning sacrifice on behalf of all Christians. His punishment and death engraft the totality of human sin. His perfect life recompenses human error and transgression against God’s holy character. Second, Christ’s resurrection cancels human sin and imparts justification through faith to everyone who believes in Christ. This theological term means to be righteous before. Literally, it means to stand without any scintilla of sin before God. Disciples achieve justification before God through their unwavering belief in the sinless life, sacrifice, death, resurrection and atonement of Christ.

This passage summarizes the justification of Abraham through faith in Almighty God. His example offers hope and encouragement to contemporary disciples. Notwithstanding rapid scientific and technological advances, uncritical acceptance of the scientific method as the primary means of determining truth and progress in psychology and mental health, Christians still have access to God’s grace and power through faith. Abraham, “the father of faith,” exemplifies righteousness borne from an unwavering faith in God. His example demonstrates the necessity of remaining faithful despite myriad adversities and daily complexities. He perfectly  and humanly reflects how to genuinely rely upon Almighty God.

 

Meditations Upon Faith - Romans 4:16-24

 

Meditations Upon Faith – Romans 4:16-24

 

Faith is an unwavering, unconditional and unequivocal belief in God’s ability to favorably orchestrate minute details in human affairs. It allows that God, the Creator of the universe and Maker of heaven and Earth, elects within His sovereign will to suspend the laws of nature and alter human affairs to achieve His will. Notwithstanding regimens and protocols of Eastern and Western medicine and science, Almighty God, exercising His sovereign prerogative, chooses to supernaturally heal someone of myriad diseases to accomplish His will. He may miraculously grant a pregnancy to a woman as a gift to humankind. That child may be a divine agent with a unique mission. Interestingly, that child could become God’s vessel to cure HIV/AIDS or some other debilitating disease. He may be an activist, reformer, researcher or visionary who possesses abilities to contribute significantly to the betterment of the global community.

 

Consider the faith of Abraham upon which Paul discourses in the fourth chapter of the book of Romans. Abraham believes God is able to accomplish the promise of a natural heir that He makes to Abraham and Sarah. To bless humankind through His chosen people, God blesses Sarah’s womb though Abrahma is one hundred years of age and Sarah is ten years younger. Biologically and physiologically, the birth of Isaac is an impossibility. Only a miracle could accomplish this feat. Immediately, images of Hollywood special effects and science fiction come to mind. Paranormal approaches may have some value. In Aristotle’s literary technique, “Deus et machina,” an author forcibly invokes divine intervention and sovereign powers when he exhausts his options. In the Ancient Near East, none of these options were available to Abraham and Sarah. Accordingly, Abraham unwaveringly puts his faith and trust in Almighty God.

 

The text records that Abraham does not waver in his faith but unquestionably believes God can do what He promises. Abraham does not question God’s authority or ability to fulfill His promise. In fact, Abraham remains “fully persuaded” that God’s capability, capacity and character will yield fulfillment of His promise. Abraham trust that God would faithfully adhere to the covenant which God initiates in the twelfth chapter of Genesis. God’s makes an oath based on His holy and unblemished character. Almighty God will not violate His word. God’s character and intrinsic attributes compel Him to faithfully and perfectly fulfill His word. Relying upon his relational and experiential knowledge of God, Abraham unsurprisingly depends upon God to keep His promise of the gift of a natural heir.

 

Consider pragmatic dimensions of faith. Abraham matures in faith as he practices spiritual disciplines. He learns to trust God as Abraham rightly relates to God. This relational knowledge empowers Abraham to genuinely rely upon God though scientific facts, reason and human experience combine to negate any possibility that God can perform this miracle. Wholeheartedly, Abraham desires an heir from his own loins and from his beloved wife, Sarah. In communing with God, Abraham learns God’s character. Prayer and meditation are essential spiritual tools; necessary to develop disciples’ faith and spirituality. Often, disciples rush into prayer with a grocery list of concerns, challenges and personal desires. They want God to remove all obstacles in their paths. In contrast, they might ask God how He may mysteriously and majestically utilize their problems to glorify Himself. What if they were to ask God for insight into how He orchestrates their spiritual development and personal growth amid daily challenges and trials. Envision approaching the throne of God and asking how to transform personal complaints into concrete building blocks of Christ like character. Moreover, try being still and listening to the voice of God. Silence is a powerful form of prayer. Interestingly, if disciples are silent, the Holy Spirit will guide them about what to pray.

 

In Romans 8, Paul instructs the church that the Spirit directs us because we do not know what to say. As disciples mature, they are less interested in personal dreams, ambitions and goals. They focus more upon acquiring the Lord’s heart, mind  and character and expanding Christ’s kingdom. They desire a legacy wherein they deposited His unfailing love within the hearts of other people. They genuinely seek His will and strive to accomplish His purposes. Disciples pray for wisdom and power to become vessels of His love, messengers of His grace, channels of His peace and instruments of His will. In meditation, God’s voice teaches us to patiently wait for the revelation of the Lord’s will. A Christian sister once lost her job amidst a company’s downsizing. Her employer told her on a Friday morning that her job had been eliminated. To the human resources department’s utter surprise, she calmly accepted their decision and accompanying severance package. Upon returning to her desk and sharing with her fellow employees that she lost her job, she faithfully remarked, “I wonder what God is up to?” Her serene acceptance emerged from many years of trusting and genuinely relying on Almighty God in every situation. Her stalwart faith stemmed from years of listening to Him.

 

The exact words that we use in prayer are extremely important. It is significant to ask what you want. I would like to share two instructive examples. First, I recall praying and affirming daily for a period of four late spring and summer months that I would “be in a classroom in the fall.” Wholeheartedly, I sought to return to teaching. I had been working in sales for approximately two years when I began to offer that prayer. Almighty God graciously answered my prayer. That fall, I returned to teaching Global History, Human Geography and Development and Senior Religion. Within six months, my employment at that school was terminated suddenly, unexpectedly and shockingly. I did not foresee being fired. I will not share the reasons that the principal gave or my responses. The administrators simply decided irreversibly to end my employment. Nothing that I said could have made any difference. They resolved it was the right course of action. Upon further reflection, I realized that my initial prayer and affirmation were incomplete and inadequate. I retrospectively wished that I had asked to be placed in the classroom that was right for me within God’s perfect design and grace. Yes, God granted my prayer. I confidently walked into a classroom that fall but I did not walk into a classroom suitable to my personality, standards, gifts and abilities. Issues of classroom management and student recalcitrance among other contributing factors made it untenable for me to remain. Had I been paired more closely with a learning community that shared my vision of education, I imagine a different outcome. In adding the words relating to God’s perfect grace, I acknowledge God’s divine plan and sovereignty which are overarching in the life of any disciple.

 

Meditations Upon Faith - Romans 4:16-24 - Part Two

 

Meditations Upon Faith – Romans 4:16-24 - Part Two

 

The second example is an incomplete prayer of a sister in the Lord who fiercely desired to leave her current position. She felt burned out after decades of administrative paperwork and resolving interpersonal conflicts with staff, teachers, parents and students. The thought of writing another resolution plan made her want to vomit. She accordingly prayed to God for relief from stress, paperwork and supervision. As circumstances developed, a promotion to department chairperson opened. She applied but did not receive the position. A junior colleague with considerably less experience but who had just received her doctorate was promoted. My sister in the Lord was very disappointed in this outcome. After further reflection, she appreciated that she prayed primarily for removal of stress and job-related conflicts. God gave her exactly what she wanted. Would the outcome have been different if she had prayed specifically for the promotion? Specificity in prayer is important.

 

Paul opens this passage by reminding Roman disciples that eternal promises of God’s covenant with Israel extend to believers in Christ through faith. These promises unfold in the lives of people who genuinely believe Almighty God possesses the ability and will to fulfill His promises. This realization is an act of grace, God’s unmerited favor, to anyone who believes. The genealogies of Matthew and Luke prove that Christ is a descendant of Abraham, “the Father of Faith.” The manifestation of the promise extends to Christ and anyone who believes in Him. “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abrahm’s seed and heirs according to the promise. - Galatians 3:29.” It is significant to note that the inclusion of Gentiles was not new. God did not restrict it to adherents of the Law and descendants of Israel. Anyone who shared Abraham’s faith received the promise. Non-Israelites who discarded paganism and began to worship the God of Abraham as “the One, True God” were proselytes. Though they were not descendants of Israel, their adherence to the Law and worship of God through obedience made them eligible for the promise and its fulfillment. Paul reiterates that Abraham is the “father of us all” who believe. His faith in God as detailed in Genesis chapters twelve to twenty-three (12 to 23) earns him the eternal distinction as “the father of many nations.” The God who grants Abraham this honored place is the Holy One who “gives life to the dead and calls into being things that are not.” Therefore, anyone who seeks this promise must believe God possesses these attributes and will actualize His promises.

 

The eighteenth verse reflects one of the most challenging aspects of faith. “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed.” The first phrase alludes to scientific facts, biological challenges and physical impediments to God’s promise of a natural heir to Abraham. In the Genesis accounts, he questions the possibility of this promise considering his advanced age and that of his wife. Although the promise causes exuberant feelings, the facts are not in his favor, nor do they portend that this miracle is achievable even by Almighty God. It would require an especial dispensation of faith to persevere in believing that God can perform this promise. Nevertheless, Abraham persists in  hope that God will keep His word. Consider the irony of being steadfastly hopeful in an essentially and factually hopeless situation. Abraham’s hope and belief are in Almighty God. He is not standing on the verandah with his fingers crossed; silently praying that a miracle of miracles happens. His hope results from Abraham’s experiential and relational knowledge of God.

 

Abraham benefits considerably from God’s unquestioned faithfulness, limitless grace, enduring mercy and unfailing love. The Genesis chapters that record Abraham’s life also reveal these divine attributes. God initiates a covenant with Abraham and perfectly adheres to its provisions. God’s infinite, perfect and holy character compels His fulfillment of each promise regardless of how Abraham, Sarah and their offspring respond. Abraham acquires immeasurable wealth and prosperity wherever he lives. God’s trustworthy provision is foundational in Abraham’s life. Nonetheless, despite Abraham’s inestimable wealth and innumerable possessions, he feels utterly impoverished because he does not have a natural heir. He complains that a servant will inherit these bountiful blessings. Consequently, God expands their covenant and promises a natural heir to Abraham though it is naturally impossible. Abraham, the “Father of Faith” to all nations who believe, responds with unwavering faith that God will maintain their covenantal relationship. Though every scientific indicator and natural fact insist that hope and belief are mythical in Abraham’s circumstances, he overrides those realities by genuinely relying upon God.

 

One biblical scholar declares that hope is not an emotional reaction like a childhood wish for candy or immediate satisfaction. He characterizes hope as a calm and consistent reliance upon someone, or something known to be reliable. Though it takes time, a disciple hopes persistently because he knows he will receive his heartfelt desires. Abraham puts his hope and belief in Almighty God based upon his knowledge, reason and experience of God. Therefore, Abraham’s hope is not futile. God’s faithfulness over the years of Abraham’s long life persuades Abraham to believe that God possesses power and grace to actualize this incredible promise. The word, belief, translates from Greek to the English word, persuade. God’s unwavering provision and adherence to the covenant convinces Abraham that He will accomplish this promise.

 

Accordingly, Abraham does not weaken in his faith. He employs all his mental faculties (creativity, intellect and logic) to conceive of ways in which God will adhere to His promise. Interestingly, Abraham does not ignore the hard facts of his predicament. He straightforwardly acknowledges that he is nearly one hundred years old. His wife, Sarah, is also advanced in age. Nevertheless, Abraham perseveres in his faith in God’s integrity in adhering to His covenant through this necessary miracle. Paul beautifully describes Abraham’s stance as one who “does not weaken in his faith.” The Greek language communicates words pictures to relay Paul’s meaning to his audience. Abraham maintains a rock of Gibraltar  type faith. Envision also the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Over millions of years, the forces of nature (rain, sleet, snow and other natural disasters) have not diminished these rock formations. They have strengthened them as any erosion reinforced the formations and enhanced their beauty and preservation. Likewise, Abraham’s faith in Almighty God remains rock solid and mountainous as he remains silent and reaffirms his belief that God can and will fulfill His promise.

 

I imagine that Abraham consistently utilizes spiritual disciplines such as prayer, meditation, reflection, silence and recitation of God’s word. Abraham did not have a printed Bible. He lived centuries before the Hebrew Bible was recorded on papyrus manuscripts. However, he rehearses the word of God as he repeatedly recalls the spoken promises of God. He establishes a covenant with Abraham based on His holy name and character. God being intrinsically all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-present and all-kind cannot violate any oath He makes. Presumably, Abraham reflects upon many previous instances in which God accomplishes His word. Conceivably, he envisions whether Issac’s facial features will favor Sarah, him or another relative. Abraham probably laughs at the possibility that his wife of advanced age will wear maternity clothing. Interestingly, the author of Deuteronomy considers reflection to be a type of prayer. He exhorts the Israelites to recall God’s mighty deeds on their behalf as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. Their recollections will prevent them from abandoning God or turning to idols and strange gods. Perhaps in extended periods of silence, Abraham reaffirms his hope, faith and trust in Almighty God’s ability to maintain His covenant by granting Abraham’s greatest desire.

 

Meditations Upon Faith - Romans 4;16-24 - Part Three

 

Meditations Upon Faith – Romans 4:16-24 - Part Three

 

Do you have any “miracles” that you seek from God? Is there someone whom you love wholeheartedly facing a major health challenge? Does it appear that nothing short of a miracle could make any difference? Are you willing to believe that God can perform this miracle? Would you humbly ask God to do so primarily to honor and glorify Himself? Would you ask God to restore your loved one’s health to enable that person to serve God through serving humankind? Like Abraham, are you willing to meditate steadfastly upon God’s unquestioned faithfulness, infinitely loyal love and limitless grace? Are you willing to emulate Abraham’s example by relying immovably upon God’s sovereign will and prerogatives? I do not ask these questions in an academic and theoretical vacuum. On the night of his daughter’s fifth birthday, a clergy colleague and longstanding friend had a debilitating and life-threatening stroke. Upon learning of this most unfortunate incident, I rushed and visited him in the hospital. As I entered his room, I saw a tube extending out of his head. His physicians and medical staff decided to drain any excess blood and fluid from his brain. Silently, I prepared myself for the worst-case scenario by making a mental note to take my black suit to the local dry cleaners. I was certain that he would not survive that monumental assault on his health and well-being. Five years later, he and I speak weekly on  the phone about shop talk, the state of the Church in the United States, the decline of the professional clergy and general issues of public discourse. Yes, God’s providential will yielded a miracle. However, his family, classmates, extended circle of friends, clergy colleagues and fellow Christian disciples held a video weekly prayer meeting on Sunday afternoons for almost a year following the stroke. I attended each one. During those times of intercession, we recalled God’s faithfulness  and covenant promises to the faithful. We prayed the scriptures as we asked Almighty God to fulfill His Word in our lives. We asked Him to be gracious toward my colleague and friend. As God is not “a respecter of persons,” He is willing to perform a similar miracle in your life.

 

In the twentieth verse, Paul emphasizes that Abraham did not “waver in unbelief regarding the promise of God.” A scholar prefers stagger instead of wavering. Another biblical linguist uses the verb, divide. These alternative translations conjure the image of falling amid a drunken stupor of doubt and disbelief. Also, standing nervously and being of a definitively split mind; and crossing sweaty fingers with a childlike hope that something favorable will happen. Consider the mental and verbal fluctuation that occurs in drunkenness. Ideas, concepts and beliefs sway like a pendulum between affirmation and opposition. Your values change from minute to minute. Should you grasp any momentary clarity, you lose it immediately to a contrary notion. This shifting sand is borne of drinking theoretical and theological cocktails made of doubt, cynicism, despair, fear, negativity and other toxic ideas. These emotions corrode genuine belief in God’s faithfulness, grace and ability. Abraham rebuffs this perfectly normal and human tendency. He does not digress to being a frightened child who pulls the covers over his head to hide from an imaginary monster in the bedroom closet. He does not bury his head in the sandstorm of scientific impossibility. In stark contrast, Abraham resolutely and irrevocably puts his faith in Almighty God whose adherence to their covenant compels Abraham’s faith and trust. Simply stated, Abraham unswervingly trusts God.

 

The latter half of the twentieth verse describes Abraham as being “strengthened in the faith and [giving] glory to God.” An immediate question arises. Given the circumstances, how does Abraham grow in faith and praise God? The Greek verb, dunamai, indicates an intrinsic ability or authority to accomplish a task. English translations in some instances yield the word, dynamite which is an incredible type of power. As Abraham rightly relates to God over decades of His life, he develops an intrinsic ability to genuinely rely upon God’s Word. Rather than being a debilitating and destructive challenge that could potentially destroy Abraham’s faith, God’s promise of a natural heir ironically strengthens his faith. Abraham rehearses countless acts of God’s previous faithfulness. He stands amazed as he recalls Lot’s rescue, his intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah, his blessings in an arid and infertile land, the incalculable blessings of livestock and other material possessions and God’s favor as Abraham encounters other kings and rulers who threaten him and their covenant. These reflections resemble the monetary concept of compounded interest. As Abraham experiences God’s grace, blessings and provision in each instance, Abraham’s faith increases. Each incident is a greater feat that surpasses the previous one. From year to year, Abraham grows stronger in his belief in God’s intrinsic ability to fulfill His Word.

 

As these experiences fortify his faith, Abraham praises God for His inherent attributes. Possibly, Abraham proclaims God as the “Maker of heaven and Earth, Creator of the universe, the One, True, living and everlasting God, the Most holy, righteous and gracious God who keeps His Word on all occasions.” To give glory to God, disciples proclaim His infinite essence and being. They exalt His Name. They declare His goodness. They admire His grace and provision. With thanksgiving and praise, they recite God’s countless deeds of kindness. Abraham experiences personally what Israel will encounter as a nation. Living more than four centuries before the written Hebrew Bible emerges, Abraham relationally trust God’s Word. Abraham gives glory to God because Abraham unequivocally knows that God will fulfill any promise that Almighty God articulates.