Step of Faith

Readings for today: Nehemiah 10-11, Psalms 51

There’s a little story in today’s reading that’s often overlooked. It’s lost in the middle of the mess of Israel’s national sin and their massive celebration at the dedication of the wall. It’s just two lines but the significance is huge. “Now the leaders of the people stayed in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots for one out of ten to come and live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the other nine-tenths remained in their towns. The people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.” (Nehemiah‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Why is this a big deal? Well, when you think about it, living in Jerusalem at this particular time, under these particular conditions, meant placing yourself in significant danger. The city was well-known to be a threat in the region. The different tribal groups surrounding Israel had already tried to stop the city from being rebuilt. Even with a new wall, it would take a while for the city to regain her fighting strength. Furthermore, basic services were non-existent and the entire local economy would have to be rebuilt. It wasn’t going to be easy work. It would be much more comfortable to live out in the villages where you could cultivate your own land. Those living in Jerusalem would have to be dependent on food supplies coming in from the countryside, all of which could easily be disrupted by their enemies. So the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem were risking their very lives. It must have been a huge step of faith.

God doesn’t call us to be comfortable. The life He calls us to live requires self-denial, picking up a cross, and intentionally walking by faith, not by sight. Jesus himself says that anyone who would come after Him would have to lose their life in order to gain it. The people in the Bible face all kinds of challenges. Temptation is everywhere. Life is incredibly hard. They were subject to the same fears and anxieties that we struggle with as well. But they learned to trust God. Not perfectly. Not always faithfully. But on balance, their lives reflected a long obedience in the same direction. I love how one author - I think it was either Tolstoy or Dostoevsky - described the Christian life. “It’s like a drunk man stumbling from one side of the road to the other.” As crazy as it can get and as often as we fail, at least we are on the right road.

When was the last time you took a great risk for God? When was the last time God called you to do something uncomfortable, something challenging, something beyond you? When was the last time following Christ cost you something? Time? Opportunity? Some of your hard earned treasure? When was the last time you took a step of faith?

Readings for tomorrow: Nehemiah 12-13, Psalms 52

Saving Faith

Readings for today: Exodus 14-18

“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea and God, with a terrific east wind all night long, made the sea go back. He made the sea dry ground. The seawaters split.” (Exodus‬ ‭14‬:‭21‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

I’ve often wondered what it must have been like for Moses to come to the shores of the Red Sea. You’ve faced down the most powerful man on the planet. You’ve plundered the most powerful empire in the world. You’ve led God’s people out of Egypt with the promise of a better life. A life of freedom under God in the Promised Land. But in following God, you realize He’s led you essentially into a trap. He’s led you to a place from which there is no escape. The Red Sea in front of you. The desert behind you. The ground shaking beneath your feet at the approach of the chariots of the Egyptian army. The people following you aren’t happy. In fact, they are terrified. They believe all hope is lost and lash out in anger against Moses. They question his leadership. “Weren’t the cemeteries large enough in Egypt so that you had to take us out here in the wilderness to die? What have you done to us, taking us out of Egypt? Back in Egypt didn’t we tell you this would happen? Didn’t we tell you, ‘Leave us alone here in Egypt—we’re better off as slaves in Egypt than as corpses in the wilderness.’”(Exodus‬ ‭14‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭MSG‬‬) The pressure must have been enormous and yet Moses doesn’t miss a beat…

“Moses spoke to the people: “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and watch God do his work of salvation for you today. Take a good look at the Egyptians today for you’re never going to see them again. God will fight the battle for you. And you? You keep your mouths shut!” (Exodus‬ ‭14‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭MSG‬‬) At this point in his life, Moses has learned to trust God. He no longer questions Him. No longer doubts Him. He’s come a long way since the burning bush where he argued with God. He has seen God’s wonders. He had seen God’s miracles. He had seen God’s power on display and he knows in his bones that God will deliver. God will save. So he tells the people stand firm and watch God do what only God can do.

Not only does Moses point people to God, he takes an even greater step of faith. He turns his back on the Egyptians, trusting God to be his “rearguard.” He faces the vastness of the Red Sea and stretches out his hand. And as he raises his staff, God sends a violent wind to drive back the sea. Now can you imagine the hurricane forces God would have to unleash to create a path in the middle of the Red Sea? It had to be unbelievable! The roaring of the wind drowning out the rumble of the chariots. The power on display dwarfing anything the Egyptians could bring to bear. The people standing there in awe. All because Moses believed God. All because Moses trusted God. All because Moses was fully confident that God was able to do what He had promised. This, friends, is the essence of saving faith.

So what about you? What steps of faith have you taken in your life? What steps of faith is God calling you to take right now? What’s holding you back? Metaphorically speaking, over what obstacle do you need to raise your staff, trusting God to deliver? Trusting God to save? Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you need walk by faith and not by sight.

Readings for tomorrow: Exodus 19-21