“Forsaking All I Trust Him – is faith” said a missionary long time back. This phrase still rings in my ear. There are many definitions of faith, but this has somehow inculcated itself in my mind. Faith to me is not mere “instructions” or a “formula” to be successful in life. Faith is more than the assurance of health, healing or prosperity. Faith is more than an ecstatic feeling of something beautiful that's about to happen. I sincerely believe that so many “religious” Christians experience a similar hype at mass Christian rallies or “crusades.” The atmosphere is electric when we meet so many people of like faith in one place. I have seen evangelists and preachers taking advantage of this feeling of “corporate anointing.” They provide “spiritual crutches” to lean on. By this I mean, peddling the gospel by “spiritual showmanship” or “spiritual entertainment” We live sadly, amongst believers who are mostly entertainment seekers, and do not want to pay the price for a deep spiritual walk. This is the reason why, people go back to the old grind when the “Revival meetings” are over. The “revival” has kind of weaned itself away.
Hay, don’t get me wrong. I’m all for “corporate anointing” I have experienced it and know the impact that it has on believers. I’ve been involved in “miracle and healing campaigns” and seen the mighty hand of God move amongst the masses. It’s been an avenue for so many genuine Christians to pursue the sincere call of God upon their lives. I’ve seen people catch the vision and seek after God for such an anointing: God has honoured their faith and given them “miracle ministries” of their own. People have been saved and healed all over the world. Praise the Lord!
I am talking about faith that is more enduring. Let me illustrate with a true story: This happened in Philippi a Roman Colony in Macedonia. A demon-possessed psychic slave girl made a lot of money for her master by fortunetelling. She followed Paul and Silas for many days and was yelling in the streets saying, “These men are servants, or working for the Most High God. They're laying out the road of salvation for you!" Finally Paul was so annoyed and fed up with her that he commanded the spirit that possessed her to get out. "Out they said, “In the name of Jesus Christ, get out of her!" And it was gone, just like that.
You would think that this is a great story of deliverance, and rejoicing. If this had happened today it would be all over the news at least in the Christian media. But no! See what happened. “When her owners saw that their lucrative little business was suddenly bankrupt, they went after Paul and Silas, roughed them up and dragged them into the market square. Then the police arrested them and pulled them into a court with the accusation, "These men are disturbing the peace—dangerous Jewish agitators subverting our Roman law and order." By this time the crowd had turned into a restless mob out for blood. The judges went along with the mob, had Paul and Silas's clothes ripped off and ordered a public beating. After beating them black-and-blue, they threw them into jail, telling the jail keeper to put them under heavy guard so there would be no chance of escape. He did just that—threw them into the maximum security cell in the jail and clamped leg irons on them” (The message: Acts 16: 19-24)
In similar circumstances a million questions would cross our minds! Perhaps there will be complaints and even the feeling that we have been “let down” by the Lord! Dear friends, it’s easy to preach this message from pulpits. But when the rubber meets the road, can we sing?
Enduring faith sings
Singing in trying circumstances: I’m not talking about “singing the blues” Many of the slaves who came from the African countries sang songs like “swing low sweet chariot” “let my people go” These songs kept them going during the “dark period of history” as I call it. Paul and Silas sang with their hands and legs chained up. Their body was aching with the beatings they received from the rioting mobs. But they sang! I am talking about a song that bursts from within them because of what they believe in. There were no electronic equipment to amplify the sound, nor were there were coloured lights with neither special effects nor applauding congregation and media hype. There were no managers to “manage” their itinerary! They just sang because of their FAITH in God which was built up because of an an intimate true relationship with HIM. This was faith that endures! Then the miracle happened. Yes they had a congregation who listened to them and that at midnight. They were fellow prisoners. There was a massive earthquake and the chains fell off from every prisoner. Then the prison doors were open, and the chief jailer woke up and wanted to commit suicide but committed himself to God and was saved.
What is faith? “Faith, is an attitude of the entire self, including both will and intellect, directed toward a person, or an idea’ (Encarta Encyclopedia English) So then, Paul and Silas had an attitude of their entire self, which included both will and intellect directed towards a person – Jesus Christ. Faith demands that our whole personality be involved in what we believe. Faith is not stubbornness. It is trusting and having confidence in God! Our whole self must be involved it. “.And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV)
Do you have Enduring faith that sings?
Hay, don’t get me wrong. I’m all for “corporate anointing” I have experienced it and know the impact that it has on believers. I’ve been involved in “miracle and healing campaigns” and seen the mighty hand of God move amongst the masses. It’s been an avenue for so many genuine Christians to pursue the sincere call of God upon their lives. I’ve seen people catch the vision and seek after God for such an anointing: God has honoured their faith and given them “miracle ministries” of their own. People have been saved and healed all over the world. Praise the Lord!
I am talking about faith that is more enduring. Let me illustrate with a true story: This happened in Philippi a Roman Colony in Macedonia. A demon-possessed psychic slave girl made a lot of money for her master by fortunetelling. She followed Paul and Silas for many days and was yelling in the streets saying, “These men are servants, or working for the Most High God. They're laying out the road of salvation for you!" Finally Paul was so annoyed and fed up with her that he commanded the spirit that possessed her to get out. "Out they said, “In the name of Jesus Christ, get out of her!" And it was gone, just like that.
You would think that this is a great story of deliverance, and rejoicing. If this had happened today it would be all over the news at least in the Christian media. But no! See what happened. “When her owners saw that their lucrative little business was suddenly bankrupt, they went after Paul and Silas, roughed them up and dragged them into the market square. Then the police arrested them and pulled them into a court with the accusation, "These men are disturbing the peace—dangerous Jewish agitators subverting our Roman law and order." By this time the crowd had turned into a restless mob out for blood. The judges went along with the mob, had Paul and Silas's clothes ripped off and ordered a public beating. After beating them black-and-blue, they threw them into jail, telling the jail keeper to put them under heavy guard so there would be no chance of escape. He did just that—threw them into the maximum security cell in the jail and clamped leg irons on them” (The message: Acts 16: 19-24)
In similar circumstances a million questions would cross our minds! Perhaps there will be complaints and even the feeling that we have been “let down” by the Lord! Dear friends, it’s easy to preach this message from pulpits. But when the rubber meets the road, can we sing?
Enduring faith sings
Singing in trying circumstances: I’m not talking about “singing the blues” Many of the slaves who came from the African countries sang songs like “swing low sweet chariot” “let my people go” These songs kept them going during the “dark period of history” as I call it. Paul and Silas sang with their hands and legs chained up. Their body was aching with the beatings they received from the rioting mobs. But they sang! I am talking about a song that bursts from within them because of what they believe in. There were no electronic equipment to amplify the sound, nor were there were coloured lights with neither special effects nor applauding congregation and media hype. There were no managers to “manage” their itinerary! They just sang because of their FAITH in God which was built up because of an an intimate true relationship with HIM. This was faith that endures! Then the miracle happened. Yes they had a congregation who listened to them and that at midnight. They were fellow prisoners. There was a massive earthquake and the chains fell off from every prisoner. Then the prison doors were open, and the chief jailer woke up and wanted to commit suicide but committed himself to God and was saved.
What is faith? “Faith, is an attitude of the entire self, including both will and intellect, directed toward a person, or an idea’ (Encarta Encyclopedia English) So then, Paul and Silas had an attitude of their entire self, which included both will and intellect directed towards a person – Jesus Christ. Faith demands that our whole personality be involved in what we believe. Faith is not stubbornness. It is trusting and having confidence in God! Our whole self must be involved it. “.And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV)
Do you have Enduring faith that sings?
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