This I recall to my mind; therefore, I have hope. Lamentations 3:21
There is much talk today about where one places his or her trust. There are authors and self-help gurus who stir up the optimist by encouraging “self-trust.” There are those on the political stage who tout personal trustworthiness while questioning the same in others. Much conversation buzzes through social media concerning what can and cannot be trusted. Because of how the culture constantly misunderstands the concept of trust, living by faith can sometimes seem to be an overwhelming prospect. Sometimes, faith is seen as only an act of the will with very little content or absolutes attached. But true faith always begins with God. True faith always remains rooted and established in the very nature of God.
Faith is not a blind leap in the dark. Faith does not merely express optimism or mind over matter. Faith is neither silly nor irrational. (Remember the character of young Susan Walker in the classic movie, Miracle on 34th Street (1947): “I believe, I believe, it’s silly, but I believe.”) And, as many good religious people would like to think, faith is not a randomly impulsive claim to trust God.
So, with these erroneous notions of faith laid aside, consider the definition of faith from the Holy Scriptures. Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that “faith is the evidence of things unsees, and the substance of things hoped for.”The Wycliffe Bible translates, “faith is an argument of things not appearing.” I love this translation, for all things of God through Christ at work in our lives represent His unseen work, which is yet very real. Faith represents the argument – the established certainty, of all that is of God. In an effort to embrace this truth about faith, consider that faith always stands in direct correlation to the nature of God. This is proven in the above passage from Lamentations. The author Jeremiah had an unusually accurate and endearing view of God in the midst of devastating circumstances.
Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Jeremiah has an established certainty of God’s very nature. His belief in God became an exercise of His will. Jeremiah placed His faith in God, for Jeremiah knew His God, and trusted in the very way (nature), word (truth), and will (divine plan) of God. Therefore, Jeremiah could say amid devastating circumstances, “I have hope.”
So today, trust in God’s way, word, and will. Rest in God and His divine nature. Open your heart to His Word and follow His truths in resolved obedience. Trust in His will for your life, for His plan always unfolds what is perfect. Trust in your God and who you know Him to be as your Heavenly Father. And, although He is unseen, His manifested work in your life through Jesus Christ our Lord becomes very evident as you look unto Him with eyes of faith.
Blessings,
Ken
