May
16
2008
Faith in God? Or Faith in Self?
Posted by: Jim in Extreme Bible Study, tags: church, faith, God, Guatemala, JobHeart Attack -Go to the Hospital… Or the Church?
In Guatemala several years ago I found a woman on the side of the road suffering from an apparent heart attack. Gathered around her were family members very much in a panic as we were in a remote area with little traffic. As I approached and surmised that there was a problem I stopped to offer assistance. What followed was an incredible example of faith. Read the story at the link below:
You might have to hold the “Control” key and then right click the link…
I know there were some misunderstandings about it so let me try to clarify what I said, now that you’ve had some time to think about it.
First, I do not advocate rushing a heart attack victim to the church. Please don’t think I do and please don’t get your lawyer to sue me when, because of your lack of faith in God, your loved one dies on the pew. Hey wait, lighten up; I’m just joking. Ha ha. Just a joke…
Here in Guatemala, many of these people have no options but God. And because they have no options, their decisions are clear cut and easy to make. And much of the time, their faith and belief in God and Jesus Christ is much stronger than ours. But that takes me back to the Bible and so many of the histories therein contained. Many times, God removed all the options so that His people would have to rely on Him. When He didn’t remove their options and allowed them to participate they tended to take credit for His work. Or stand on the laurels of their goodness. Really, we do the same thing today. But let’s look at a few of the histories.
Job was a righteous man but one who needed to learn some things. Several times during his afflictions he demanded a face-to-face meeting with God so he could argue his case:
Job 23:1 ¶ Then Job answered and said,
2 Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!
4 I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
6 Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.
7 There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
8 ¶ Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:
10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Job thought pretty highly of himself until God showed up and put forth His case. Then Job humbled himself before God and became a better man for the experience. He said:
Job 40:4 (BBE) Truly, I am of no value; what answer may I give to you? I will put my hand on my mouth.
Here is another history about Hezekiah, who has just been told he is about to die and begs God for more time:
2Ki 20:5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.
6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.
7 And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.
So God grants him his request. And what does he do?
BBE 2Ch 32:25 But Hezekiah did not do as had been done to him; for his heart was lifted up in pride; and so wrath came on him and on Judah and Jerusalem.
He swells with pride and angers God. As though somehow he was responsible for his recovery from the door of death! And note something else: God healed him through some figs! Look at verse 7 just above. And Jesus healed with some mud (John 9:6). And Paul fell on a young man who had fallen out of a window and died, bringing him back to life (Acts 20:10). And the histories are true, aren’t they? Then God uses things to heal. Things like people, medicine, pastors; even dirt! Why? Because he wants you to know the power is not in the figs or the dirt or the man. The power is from God. Doesn’t it make sense that we go to Him 1st when we have a problem and not after we have tried all else?
So that was my point, Doctors, nurses, hospitals, paramedics, ambulances; all these are good things. So are figs, dirt and rivers. God is in and uses them all. It’s His power, His glory and His will be done. How He accomplishes His will is immaterial.
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