Assurance
A few weeks ago, a friend of mine was leading a group in prayer. Toward the end he said something which I couldn't shake off. He asked God: "Please do not abandon me."
The prayer struck a chord with me. I too have asked the question: will God deliver? Will He be there when I need him? Will He be there when I die? To some it may seem odd to ask these questions since I am a believer. To others it would be pointless to ask them at all because to them, God's non-existence is a forgone conclusion. Regardless, I am compelled to ask.
In matters like these, the only "data" I have to base my investigations on come from personal experience, the experiences of others, and the scriptures we know as the Bible. Since experience is by nature subjective, I choose to use a more universal data set in the scripture. The Bible is what it is. Here are some of the assurances it offers regarding whether God will deliver:
John 14: 1, 6 --
Christ is telling us not to surrender to our fears. Fear is at the root of many of my doubts. God would have us trust in him. To trust is to give up the need for control without guarantee of my own intentions coming through. Jesus tells us here that he is the way to God--he brings us there. By surrendering to him, instead of to fear, Jesus claims that he is the one who ultimately makes it happen.
Ps. 37: 4-5, 37-40 --
Here I believe David is referencing the transforming power of a relationship with God. As we progress in our relationship with him, our will and desires become more similar to God's own. By aligning myself with God, his purposes become my own. In this sense, the Bible is saying God delievers bcause those of us who long for him and his ways will find them. Throughout this psalm David repeatedly urges us "Do not fret." This is an important message for me because I myself find that fretting, or dwelling on my insecurities and fears rarely leads to a successful conclusion. The quote above also recommends taking refuge in him. I am urged to once again, put my trust in him and then I am promised salvation (fulfillment, meaning, being made whole). Worrying does not help me. Contemplation, submission, and acceptance are perhaps the more rewarding reactions to questions such as "will God deliver?"
Prov. 3:5-8 --
The Bible is telling me here that I do not have to have everything figured out myself. At different times in my life I have derived a belief that my purpose is to comprehend and understand the points of life and our universe. This is obviously a tall order but regardless I find myself in a search for definitive answers which I can discover and then relax--because there is nothing left to contemplate. As many discover over and over again, it is not possible to figure everything out. At this point some people either despair or simply declare that there is no point to it all. The Bible tells me that the real issue is that it is not mine to know everything, but rather to continually discover as much as I can. In other words, the endless questions do not mean defeat and meaninglessness. The endless questions mean that we will always have a need for God to answer them.
There is a quote which I love from the classic, though over-taxed, film The Matrix. In the film a sage says to his pupil that "there is a difference between knowing the path, and walking the path." I have always thought that this was a helpful way to look at the relationship between God's perspective and our own. Our own wisdom cannot be enough to grant us the perspective needed to reach our full potential and fulfillment. Because of God, our wisdom does not have to be enough. Our trust gets us there regardless.
2 Cor 4:8-10 --
Is God delivering even when we suffer? What I believe the Bible says is suffering is not a signal that we are out of God's favor. When suffering occurs, it is not because God abandoned us. I believe this because good people suffer along with the bad. The Bible never promises freedom from suffering. In fact, Jesus says outright that Godliness is met with suffering on Earth. What the Bible does promise is relief from suffering and maybe growth (refinement). Why should we be free from suffering anyway? What have we done to deserve it? God himself suffers! The Bible says we participate in Jesus' suffering. Nothing bonds people together like fellowship in suffering. We are sharing with him.
When in the midst of the pain, it is sometimes hard to realize that nothing is over until it is over. As Cormac McCarthy examines in his novel The Road, we can carry "the fire" as long as there is one. Who can say when all goodness has been beaten out of my life? At what point is my spirit beyond revival? Who can say? McCarthy's characters seem to believe that no one can. Until life itself is taken or given away, there is always something there to keep us going. The Bible says that God is that thing.
Dt. 31:6 --
My relationship with God is not one-way. I suffer with Christ and at the same time, God fights alongside me. My struggle is God's struggle in the same way that his suffering and love become my own. God's constant companionship in our experiences is a sign of his friendship.
Ps. 46:10-11 --
The Bible's statement here takes us beyond trust. It says to know. I believe that this is possible.
At this point, I have outlined a few places where the scripture has made a statment about whether or not God will deliver. Some of us can take these messages as they are and carry on. However, not everyone can. Many of us stumble over the obvious truth that belief in the God of the Bible requires a measure of faith. How can we believe what the Bible says about God? Our question then becomes not "will God deliver" (because the Bible says he will) but rather "will my faith in God deliver?" Will my faith be betrayed? Will my faith abandon me in the end?
I would not be the first to struggle with the necessity of faith. Romans 9 says that the necessity of faith in Jesus as the source of salvation was a "stumbling block." The new believers had a difficult time believing that God would accept and love them without having earned God's favor. How could Christ be enough to unite God and man?
Rom. 9:33 --
I face a similar stumbling block in the scriptures. Can this collection of writings really be the word of God? How is this belief not foolish? The Bible says that I will not be put to shame for believing in him. How can I know that?
Once again, we only have the data we have. Here is what my experience has taught me about this matter. I cannot deny that the way of Christ, his teachings, and their transforming power are good? Regardless of the troubled history of the church, who can look at what the Bible itself says about Christ and say it is not good? The goodness of the text stands for itself in my belief. There is little other proof of its relationship to a God which cannot be seriously contested.
I have not found a better way of life or a better philosophy than that which is outlined in the Bible.
After all of that, I am left with the following. If I have faith that the Bible is the word of an existing God, then I have my assurance: God will deliver.
Ps. 138:8 --
My friend's prayer was sincere and justified. "Please do not abandon me." The Bible says that God will not abandon us. God's purpose for all creation--the point of it all--is fulfilled through us by him, if that makes any sense. It's all in the bag.
The prayer struck a chord with me. I too have asked the question: will God deliver? Will He be there when I need him? Will He be there when I die? To some it may seem odd to ask these questions since I am a believer. To others it would be pointless to ask them at all because to them, God's non-existence is a forgone conclusion. Regardless, I am compelled to ask.
In matters like these, the only "data" I have to base my investigations on come from personal experience, the experiences of others, and the scriptures we know as the Bible. Since experience is by nature subjective, I choose to use a more universal data set in the scripture. The Bible is what it is. Here are some of the assurances it offers regarding whether God will deliver:
John 14: 1, 6 --
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me"...Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Christ is telling us not to surrender to our fears. Fear is at the root of many of my doubts. God would have us trust in him. To trust is to give up the need for control without guarantee of my own intentions coming through. Jesus tells us here that he is the way to God--he brings us there. By surrendering to him, instead of to fear, Jesus claims that he is the one who ultimately makes it happen.
Ps. 37: 4-5, 37-40 --
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:...The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.
Here I believe David is referencing the transforming power of a relationship with God. As we progress in our relationship with him, our will and desires become more similar to God's own. By aligning myself with God, his purposes become my own. In this sense, the Bible is saying God delievers bcause those of us who long for him and his ways will find them. Throughout this psalm David repeatedly urges us "Do not fret." This is an important message for me because I myself find that fretting, or dwelling on my insecurities and fears rarely leads to a successful conclusion. The quote above also recommends taking refuge in him. I am urged to once again, put my trust in him and then I am promised salvation (fulfillment, meaning, being made whole). Worrying does not help me. Contemplation, submission, and acceptance are perhaps the more rewarding reactions to questions such as "will God deliver?"
Prov. 3:5-8 --
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
The Bible is telling me here that I do not have to have everything figured out myself. At different times in my life I have derived a belief that my purpose is to comprehend and understand the points of life and our universe. This is obviously a tall order but regardless I find myself in a search for definitive answers which I can discover and then relax--because there is nothing left to contemplate. As many discover over and over again, it is not possible to figure everything out. At this point some people either despair or simply declare that there is no point to it all. The Bible tells me that the real issue is that it is not mine to know everything, but rather to continually discover as much as I can. In other words, the endless questions do not mean defeat and meaninglessness. The endless questions mean that we will always have a need for God to answer them.
There is a quote which I love from the classic, though over-taxed, film The Matrix. In the film a sage says to his pupil that "there is a difference between knowing the path, and walking the path." I have always thought that this was a helpful way to look at the relationship between God's perspective and our own. Our own wisdom cannot be enough to grant us the perspective needed to reach our full potential and fulfillment. Because of God, our wisdom does not have to be enough. Our trust gets us there regardless.
2 Cor 4:8-10 --
"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body."
Is God delivering even when we suffer? What I believe the Bible says is suffering is not a signal that we are out of God's favor. When suffering occurs, it is not because God abandoned us. I believe this because good people suffer along with the bad. The Bible never promises freedom from suffering. In fact, Jesus says outright that Godliness is met with suffering on Earth. What the Bible does promise is relief from suffering and maybe growth (refinement). Why should we be free from suffering anyway? What have we done to deserve it? God himself suffers! The Bible says we participate in Jesus' suffering. Nothing bonds people together like fellowship in suffering. We are sharing with him.
When in the midst of the pain, it is sometimes hard to realize that nothing is over until it is over. As Cormac McCarthy examines in his novel The Road, we can carry "the fire" as long as there is one. Who can say when all goodness has been beaten out of my life? At what point is my spirit beyond revival? Who can say? McCarthy's characters seem to believe that no one can. Until life itself is taken or given away, there is always something there to keep us going. The Bible says that God is that thing.
Dt. 31:6 --
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
My relationship with God is not one-way. I suffer with Christ and at the same time, God fights alongside me. My struggle is God's struggle in the same way that his suffering and love become my own. God's constant companionship in our experiences is a sign of his friendship.
Ps. 46:10-11 --
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
The Bible's statement here takes us beyond trust. It says to know. I believe that this is possible.
At this point, I have outlined a few places where the scripture has made a statment about whether or not God will deliver. Some of us can take these messages as they are and carry on. However, not everyone can. Many of us stumble over the obvious truth that belief in the God of the Bible requires a measure of faith. How can we believe what the Bible says about God? Our question then becomes not "will God deliver" (because the Bible says he will) but rather "will my faith in God deliver?" Will my faith be betrayed? Will my faith abandon me in the end?
I would not be the first to struggle with the necessity of faith. Romans 9 says that the necessity of faith in Jesus as the source of salvation was a "stumbling block." The new believers had a difficult time believing that God would accept and love them without having earned God's favor. How could Christ be enough to unite God and man?
Rom. 9:33 --
As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
I face a similar stumbling block in the scriptures. Can this collection of writings really be the word of God? How is this belief not foolish? The Bible says that I will not be put to shame for believing in him. How can I know that?
Once again, we only have the data we have. Here is what my experience has taught me about this matter. I cannot deny that the way of Christ, his teachings, and their transforming power are good? Regardless of the troubled history of the church, who can look at what the Bible itself says about Christ and say it is not good? The goodness of the text stands for itself in my belief. There is little other proof of its relationship to a God which cannot be seriously contested.
I have not found a better way of life or a better philosophy than that which is outlined in the Bible.
After all of that, I am left with the following. If I have faith that the Bible is the word of an existing God, then I have my assurance: God will deliver.
Ps. 138:8 --
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.
My friend's prayer was sincere and justified. "Please do not abandon me." The Bible says that God will not abandon us. God's purpose for all creation--the point of it all--is fulfilled through us by him, if that makes any sense. It's all in the bag.
posted by Your humble servant at 12:33 PM
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