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Glory Seed Devotional’s, 2017: Anticipating and Experiencing Jehovah-Jireh...
Radical Faith...
Shalom!
In spite of Jesus’ plea not to be afraid I still get afraid. While I am not really afraid of dying (although I am not looking forward to it) it is living that scares me. That is especially true when my physical ailments are wrecking havoc with me, “God, I don't know if I can go through this any more.” The ailments are bittersweet, they don't scare me as much as living with them. There are bittersweet because they have solidified my relationship with God and have permanently burned themselves in my memory so I can recall them to help someone else going through similar circumstances. However, on the other side of that coin is the fact they have fulfilled their purpose (see the previous sentence) so why am I still suffering their effect's?
Fear has many faces. One face is the face of terror, another is a fear of the dark from my childhood I know that face well. Another face is that of nothing changes, things are as they are and will always will be that way is the face I am looking at now. Not only does fear have many faces it also has either a postive or a negative effects on us. And strangely enough fear is also a window where we can look into the foundation upon which or lives are built.
For me one of the greatest lessons on the foundation upon which I have built my life on is found on the Sea of Galilee during a terrible storm at night. “And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.” (Matthew 14:25–29, ESV)
Peter in a matter of minutes when from fear to getting out of the boat and walking on water! In the ugly face of fear Peter saw the beautiful face of Radical Faith in the face and open arms of Jesus. Not on solid ground but on storm tossed sea in the dark of night illuminated only by the flashes of lightning and thus it is for us once we’ve solidified our relationship with Jesus. If you read the complete story in Matthew chapter 14 verses 22-33 you’ll discover my fear-to-radical faith story and your fear-to-radical faith story. “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”” (Matthew 14:30–31, ESV)
Some have said God tests our faith. I’m not so sure about that because life itself is a master at challenging our faith. In the challenge and face of fear when the odds are stacked against us we need to completely depend on the Radical Faith we see in the face and extended hands of Jesus.
The next time fear begins staring you in the face, close your eyes and with Radical Faith focus on the face of Jesus and take that first radical step and walk with Him.
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14, ESV)
Grace and PEACE,
Gary
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Scripture quotations marked ESV "Are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2016 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved."