And he said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no
faith?”—Mark 4.40
Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will
see the glory of God?”—John 11.40
Two different episodes but the same challenge—“where is your
faith?” The first instance comes
from the time when the disciples were fearful of a massive storm. They awaken Jesus and he challenges
them as to their faith. The second
passage comes from the narrative about the death of Lazarus. Martha is distressed and is troubled by
Jesus’ desire to have the tomb opened up.
He, again, challenges her to faith—to trust in him.
I can’t help but think of these passages as we approach a
new year. We don’t know what is
ahead of us as individuals, families, or as a church. We can guess and even plan on certain patterns of normalcy
but God is always willing to bring challenges to us. He will “rock the boat” and do the unexpected. We will be afraid and even weep. Through it all Jesus is still
challenging us to a deeper faith—a deeper trust—in him.
The enemy of our faith will come in to tempt us with
thoughts that God is not good and that our fearful and painful circumstances
are evidence of that. Jesus, on
the other hand, wants us to see him in his power and life-giving glory and to
trust in the midst of the painful circumstances. Jesus doesn’t promise us ease of life—“Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts
14.22). He has promised us
that he would be with us—“I will never
desert you, nor will I ever forsake you” (Hebrews 13.5).
So as we begin the New Year take time to reflect on the
goodness of God to you. Think of
the great and precious promises given to you in Christ Jesus. Remember and consider how God has been
faithful this past year. We are ever
prone to forget the many kindnesses of God. God will take us all down various paths of the
unexpected. Through it all know
that our Father is seeking to develop our trust in him. He is trustworthy—have faith in his
goodness revealed in Jesus Christ!
