Hello All,
(Just a general disclaimer that I must insert here at the beginning. I am but a lay person, like most of you. And these weekly “thoughts” are but my own. Not the definitive word on this or any topic. Just my own conclusions derived from my own study and faith in God. The greatest hope I have for these weekly “thoughts” is to have them be a springboard for further study on your part. Not to be a weekly treatise to be blindly accepted. So, please read them with this intent, this motive in mind).
This week’s lesson from “The Adult Sabbath School Guide” is titled “Managing in tough times”. Tough times. And the overarching remedy depicted in the whole lesson... the “challenge for us, is to trust Him and His leading” (quarterly for Sunday). A good remedy. But what does it mean? Does it mean I will sit in my easy chair and just let Him take care of it all (and take care of me)? Do I do something? Do I do nothing? Is it a question of “strik(ing) the right balance between doing what we can, for instance, to be financially secure, and yet at the same time trusting in the Lord for all things” (quarterly for Monday)? And what does that last sentence from the quarterly even mean (“do what I can and trust Him in all things”????). How to trust God in tough times and what does it mean to trust Him, is the underlying question.
Some fundamental concepts help here:
1. Trust, faith and belief are almost always the same Greek word in the New Testament. The English translator chooses which of those three English words to use based on the context. But we must beware of giving different meanings to those 3 English words, as used in Scripture. Therefore, to “believe” by “faith” is circular reasoning that explains nothing. It is the same as stating, to “believe” by “belief”, or to have “faith” by “faith”, or to “trust” by “trust”. It explains nothing. In the Bible, the three English words come from one Greek word.
2. EGW wrote, “What is your faith worth? You will act out all the faith you have” (Signs of the Times 8/8/1892). And also wrote, “Let your daily lives witness to the faith you profess” (Review and Herald 9/28/1911). Meaning, true faith is seen in your life and in your actions. Faith that leads-not to a changed life is not true faith at all.
3. Lastly, Graham Maxell gave a most cogent explanation of faith/ trust/ belief that serves us so well, especially here. He said that “faith in God means you have faith in His methods”
Now this really helps us. To “trust the Lord for all things” (ibid) means, I will do things His way… especially in tough times. This is true faith/ trust. It makes no allowance for a stubborn refusal to do nothing. It makes no allowance for a stubborn hardihood that attempts to do it all. And it makes no allowance for “the right balance between what we can (do)… and at the same time trusting in the Lord for all things” (ibid). True trust is a total dependence on God and a personal commitment to do things God’s way.
So, what is God’s way? To learn this, we must read His word. Because as we read the Bible with the intent of knowing God, His way always surprises us and even confounds us. Sometimes He is merciful, sometimes demanding. Sometimes He is indulgent, sometimes uncompromising. Sometimes He is soft, sometimes hard. God’s ways can seem inscrutable.
But behind all God’s actions are two immoveable, irrefutable motives. Motives that are as constant and eternal as Himself. Love and truth. And all His inscrutable ways can be summed-up in these two scrutable motives. The out-working of these two motives often vary widely, catered to the person(s) and situation at hand. But behind every action of God is the immoveable motives of love and truth.
These are to be our motives, too, that can only spring from a regenerated heart/mind. Hence the need to follow God… to have a relationship with God. How to follow? The big three. Namely; Bible study, prayer and obedience. These three, place us squarely in a relationship with God. So that we are in a place where He can communicate His will in our life, at this moment, for this application, through His Holy Spirit.
This is how to manage in tough times. God is so desirous to be our counselor, guide and friend. Yet if we walk in our own ways, pursuing our own goals and our own reasoning, then there is little God can do. We are on a different wavelength and cannot even comprehend His Spirit’s voice nor understand His leading. But if we are walking with Him, then His will can be done in our lives.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). We need not fear during “tough times”. God will lead… if we will follow.
With brotherly love,
Jim