Faith Comes From Trusting What We Cannot See
By Pastor Bob

“He sighed deeply and said, ‘Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it’.” (Mark 8:12)

A lot of Christians, including myself, would like for the Lord to be more evident with both His presence and His will for our lives. However, if you are waiting for the Lord to come down and tell you what to do the way He told Moses and the Israelites, it’s probably not going to happen.

Philip Yancey points out in his book Disappointment with God, that crystal-clear clarity from God does not promote spiritual growth: “It may…get a mob of just-freed slaves across a hostile desert, but it does not seem to encourage spiritual development. In fact, for the Israelites it nearly eliminated the need for faith at all; clear guidance sucked away freedom, making every choice a matter of obedience rather than faith.”

Think of what God did for the Israelites! He delivered them from their Egyptian captors, parted the Red Sea, gave them water from a rock, and fed them each day with manna from heaven. He even led them with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. In spite of all the signs and wonders, the Israelites often did not praise the Lord and invite His presence. Instead, they openly rebelled against the God who had delivered them out of bondage from Egypt. As Yancey puts it, “God’s visible presence did nothing to improve lasting faith.”

As much as I want God to be more “crystal-clear”, I also know that my faith won’t go anywhere if I allow Him to make all the choices for me. God wants us to continue seeking Him, particularly when things seem unclear. He wants us to focus on Him and not on His signs and wonders. He wants us to trust Him, even when we can’t reach out and touch Him. The Bible says it another way: “Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” (Psalms 62:8)

Bob Stiles is the Associate Pastor at the Vineyard, handling all the hospital and personal care issues of the church along with leading worship during our Sunday services. He and his family have been a part of our fellowship since 2005. Bob and his wife, Leann, lead the Alkire Lakes Home Group meeting on the first and third Wednesday of each month.