Faith makes us bold.
As David runs toward Goliath with his sling swinging over his head (1 Samuel 17) he declares that “the Battle belongs to the Lord.” In faith, a teenager armed with only a shepherd’s staff and five smooth stones is running toward a nine-foot-tall killing machine covered with over 150 pounds of armor. The odds aren’t in David’s favor of surviving this encounter – but he is not depending upon his own skills; he is fully trusting his life to the care of Yahweh, the God who gives us life.
Some would say David is foolish for “carelessly” running into battle with Goliath. Others laud his courage and ruthless trust in God. No matter the opinion of the crowd, David has made up his mind that God will save him from death. The faith of this young man is carrying him into battle because He knows that this is God’s calling and cause. (To get the full impact of this story and message, I encourage you to read 1 Samuel 17 before this Sunday.)
Challenges help us learn to trust God in new ways.
I’ve heard the phrase, “God will never give you more than you can handle.” Spoiler alert: I don’t think that’s true.
My experience and my study of God’s Word shows me that God will always give you more than you can handle so that you learn to trust Him in new ways and grow. Though David had the Holy Spirit empowering Him, he still made an incredibly brave decision running into battle with the giant Philistine champion. This faith challenge that David was responding to put him in a place where he had to trust God to deliver him.
This past year has been a year of retreat for so many people. Risk-taking has been redefined as “reckless” as our society has moved into a place where their fear of death has rivaled any passion I have ever seen. I’m not advocating going out and licking handrails and kissing strangers on the mouth. That’s just foolish and lacks wisdom. I am referring to the fact that I believe this past year has sent the subtle message that the absence of risk is equal to wisdom.
Boldly take the light of the Gospel into the dark world.
When I think about the church, I pray for boldness and courage for us to stand up and bravely take the light of the Gospel into a dark world. I am concerned that the self-protective flavor of this past year has lulled Christians into a sleepy, selfish, comfort seeking space. When I think about nurturing and making disciples who live the life to the fullest that Jesus came to give us, I think of a risk-taking team of people who go into every sphere of influence in our city and love others with God’s love. I envision a family of Jesus’ followers who welcome the lonely into family (Psalm 68). I long to see Christians leaning across the table to listen to others that don’t carry our Christian values in order to better understand, not to compromise Biblical truth.
Jesus was called “a friend to sinners,” but I know that doesn’t mean that He agreed with them; it means that He kept his heart toward them even when their thinking was one hundred percent opposite of His own convictions. Jesus didn’t just sit silently, fooling them into thinking He was in favor of what they were saying, as they spouted out selfish axioms of the world’s pattern of thought. Instead, he asked them questions to reveal what was in their hearts, and while loving them, still addressed their real fear and concerns. His questions helped unravel the pain and confusion in their hearts so that he could care for them.
I believe this next season will be marked by many people trusting Jesus with their lives – but are we willing to share the truth and build relationship with those who are far from faith?
Do you feel like you’ve been sitting on the bench for the past year?
Do you feel the tug on your heart to re-engage with others and share the hope that lies within you?
What risk will you take in listening, loving and connecting with others this week?
Let’s allow Jesus to give us more than we can handle so that we will learn to trust Him more and receive the love and power of God to grow into this next season – and reach others with the hope of Jesus!
I look forward to seeing all of you who choose to worship with us in the Dome this Sunday at either 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. All safety precautions, masks, and social distancing apply.
You can also live stream our 11:00 a.m. service on Facebook and YouTube
I encourage you to tune in and follow along in our series, “Lessons from Three Kings” by clicking here.
Need encouragement? You can receive a word of encouragement each day. Text the word Encourage to 530.296.
Leaders (and potential leaders): you can also text Lead to 530.296.3689 to be on the list to receive a thought, quote, or a challenge from me daily (or most days) regarding leadership.
