Radical Faith

 The 8th chapter of the book of Ezra can both inspire and convict. Scripture has a unique way of doing both. Artaxerxes, the king of Persia has given Ezra the priest permission to take a number of fellow Israelites back to their homeland and to Jerusalem. He's even supplied gold, silver, and ample supplies for the journey. Still, it would be dangerous, with many potential enemies along the way. Ezra knew if he asked the king for troops to provide protection that they'd be given, but instead, he gathered the people together to pray. He says in verses 22-23, "We prayed that He would give us a safe journey and protect us, our children, and our goods as we traveled. For I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to accompany us and protect us from enemies along the way. After all, we had told the king, 'Our God protects all those who worship Him, but His fierce anger is against those who abandon Him.' So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and He heard our prayer."

2500 years in the future, this is very inspiring. What great faith! Yet, how many, both watching and participating may have seen this as too radical and too unrealistic. It was a dangerous journey. They would need protection. Wasn't it insane to pass on the provision of the king's protection? Here's where the conviction comes with Ezra's words. They'd been testifying of the faithfulness of their God. It was their witness. Now their witness would be put to the test. Would they really believe and trust the God they said they believed and trusted? Would they risk everything in their trust of a God who expected them to take Him at His word, even when it seemed the height of insanity to do so? How many well meaning people around them were telling them just that? How many fellow believers were doing the same?

Here in 2024, how much of our own testimony has been about living a life of trust in Him? Of believing and obeying Him? How many have heard us say these things? Friends, family, co-workers? What happens if, when, He, as He did Ezra and the people, requires you to act on what it is you profess? Act in such a way that will affect every part of your life, putting all of it at risk? Your marriage, family, job, ministry, finances and resources. All of these, and with no more assurance than that He has promised to provide, make a way, protect you all along that way. How many "well meaning" voices, many of them other "believers," would tell you, are telling you, that such an outlook is too radical, that you're not being realistic, and that your choice to show forth such trust, really does look........insane? Add to all this a question; why, at least in western Christianity, is this kind of lifestyle faith seen as abnormal? Does it seem abnormal to you?

Some time ago I began to pray that God would make the inner me match what my outer person appeared to be. That my life would match my testimony. That, when called to step out into nothing more than His promise, I would do so. I would need no assurances other than He who has called me has promised to provide and care for me all along the way. As a young man first responding to His call to ministry, I joyfully did so. I carried little with me but my faith. Now, all these years later, I carry so many more "goods" with me. The risk is greater. Will I still believe the God who calls and promises that He's greater than any risk involved? Any danger along the way? Can you? Or, have we fallen into the trap of believing we need to be realistic. We have no room for a truly radical faith.

The challenges we face in 2024 may well be the greatest of our lifetime. The people of God, the followers of Christ, need to live lives that prove He's alive. We can't do that when we appear just as anxious and fearful as those who don't know Him. All we can be in the end.....is ashamed. 

God led Ezra and the people home in safety. They rebuilt the city. The others, those who didn't risk the journey, who stayed behind in the land of their captivity, who thought them so insane for going to begin with? They remained in captivity. They died in captivity. That's where unbelief always leaves us. In this coming year, in 2024, where will your faith in Him take you....and where will your unbelief leave you?

Blessings,
Pastor O