More Faith

Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
Ps 37:1-10
2 Timothy 1'14
Luke 17:5-10

The most important thing in the world is that we are in union with God. Loving God and loving each other is the meaning of salvation and the purpose of life. Each week the Sacred Scriptures provide us insights into this salvation-union.

The Bible is absolutely honest about the human condition on a fallen earth. God is sometimes inscrutable, the heroes have flaws, and the people of God are frequently unfaithful. The Bible has no lack of books which ask hard questions and wrestle with God.

Habakkuk is a perfect example of this. The prophetic book begins with these words:  "How long must I call for help and you do not listen? Or cry out to you 'violence' and you do not save?" The prophet is disgusted by the corruption and disappointed with God.  God speaks to the prophet, declaring that judgement is coming in the form of the Babylonian invasion which will topple the holy city and all its institutions. Afterwards, Habakkuk again complains, declaring that things are actually worse under the Babylonians.  God exhorts Him to trust and endurance. Believe in My promise the Lord declares. Hope sustains us when our lives are unbearable. 

The spiritual practice of praying psalms provides us daily meditations on this difficult life of faith. Psalm 37, part of which we prayed today, is a particularly deep meditation on a world where all is not right, and the light of God is hidden in dark shadows. The underlying Hebrew can be paraphrased in our vernacular: "Chill out" says the Lord, life is a journey, and shalom, a peaceful heart, is the fruit of the spiritual practices: hope in God, do good, make Him your heart's center. It is an apt reminder that we spend too much time "worried about others and what they are getting away with." A huge part of saving faith is really believing-- God knows. God cares. I can trust God will make it all well.

Trusting anyone, even God, is hard. Our hearts are sick with doubt and fear. Like the disciples we say, "Lord increase our faith!" Like them we are confused by His words "if you had faith the size of a mustard seed you could uproot a tree." Based on that criteria, it seems I do not even have faith the size of a mustard seed, and I don't know anyone who does.....

But perhaps we are misunderstanding Him. Notice how He suddenly starts talking about how slaves should do their jobs and see themselves as slaves doing their job--not expecting the Master to gird Himself and serve them? Maybe real faith means loving Jesus, serving Jesus and focusing on Him not me. It means living a life of loving faith, not talking about trust and love.

One more thing, there are many subtle connections between the Gospels of John and Luke and here is another. In the Gospel of John, we read that Jesus did in fact gird Himself and wash the disciples' feet. Jesus said you call me Master, because I am, but I serve you. Jesus says that the powerful of this world demand that slaves serve them, but I think that the rest of the story is if we understand our place then Jesus will do the same for us.

Summary:
The Bible is clear
*the world is a tough place to live, for some it is very hard.
*God is faithful and He is saving the world, even  if you don't see it.
*we are not the first to ponder hard questions of faith, the Bible is full of them.
*we must forgive others, trust God and do good to receive salvation.
* we are servants of God, be humble and thankful.
* Jesus loves you more than you love Him.
*Chill in the Holy Spirit!