GREAT EXPECTATIONS

 

Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 138:1-8; Luke 5:1-11

Introduction

Faith, as given in the Scripture says, "Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." (Heb. 11:1) 

Faith in God can be put as an unwavering conviction with the sure hope and assurance in God that, with Him, one's path will surely end well. 

The theme for today also draws our attention to the fact that faith can be wrongly placed. That which is not in the Lord. You may have misplaced your faith in worldly fantasies instead of God Almighty - watch out! Call on God today by name Jesus Christ to be saved.

The spiritual nature of humanity makes us live lives of faith. Faith is so practical with us at all times in our day-to-day activities. For instance, how many of us do check the 'trotro, taxi or bolt' driver's license before we jump into their vehicles - this is an act of faith. We enter these vehicles with the sure hope and assurance of reaching our destination safely.

So in our daily living, we express acts of faith as we receive services from others. Therefore, having faith in the Lord is alien to us.

Growing our Faith

Our faith in the Lord develops when we constantly study God's Word and works. So Paul says, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." (Romans 10:17). The closer we are to His Word, the stronger or greater our faith becomes.

Jesus teaches us to understand that faith in the Lord could be graded. He says, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” (Matthew 15:28). Again He says, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed" (Matthew 17:20) 

Precious one, accepting Christ Jesus as your Lord and Saviour is great, but without continuous faith in the Lord, you will not be able to complete this journey with Him. Being a Christian is ok but living a victorious Christian life is key to accessing the promised land, Heaven.

Faith and Fear

One thing that antagonizes or militates against 'faith' is 'fear'. Fear is a natural and primitive human emotion. It involves a universal biochemical response as well as a high individual emotional response. Fear alerts us to the presence of danger or the threat of harm, whether that danger is physical or spiritual or psychological. 

When Isaiah saw God's glory in Isaiah 6, he exclaimed in fear, "Woe to me, I am ruined!" (Isa. 6:5). Again, After the miracle of the bounty catch, fear gripped Simon Peter, James and John, so Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid" (Lk. 5:10). Instead of filling your heart with fear of the unknown, beloved, cast them unto Christ Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith. Have faith in the Lord.

In both situations as noted from the texts for today (Isaiah 6:1-8 and Luke 5:1-11), they were gripped with fear because of sin. Isaiah says, "For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips" (Isaiah 6:5). And Peter puts it, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8). Fear is just a product of our love of sinful lifestyle. When we surrender unto God, we are made holy for God's use (Isa. 6:6-7).

I invite you today, my brother, my sister, to leave everything behind and follow Jesus as Peter, James and John did, they "left everything and followed him." (Luke 5:11). Have faith in Christ Jesus, and be eternally saved.

Note:

1. Faith in the Lord brings us boldness, power, love and self-discipline whiles, fear brings timidity, weakness and enslaves us to sin. (2Tim. 1:7)

2. Faith in the Lord brings life and progress to our lives but fear causes stagnation and death to us.

3. Faith in the Lord empowers us to serve in the Kingdom way but fear pulls us into excuses and complaints which cause us to fail in God's appointed plans for us.

Conclusion

The psalm of David puts faith in action in the right perspective for us. Reflect on this;

I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise.

I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame.

When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.

May all the kings of the earth praise you, LORD, when they hear what you have decreed.

May they sing of the ways of the LORD, for the glory of the LORD is great.

Though the LORD is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life.

You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me.

The LORD will vindicate me; your love, LORD, endures forever — do not abandon the works of your hands. (Psalms 138:6-8)

Shalom aleichem...