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FAITH APPLIED, OUTCOME UNKNOWN
By Uriah J. Fields
Faith can accomplish what nothing else can. Yet, there are times in the life of the faithful when faith is not enough, not enough to bring to fruition what the faithful sought. When faith fails to deliver the desired or expected result there is no other asset available, not hope, not love, not truth, not discernment, not wisdom, not perseverance, can do what faith failed to do.
When faith fails to accomplish what has been requested of God, what are the faithful to do? The answer can be found in the following examples: When King Nebuchadnezzar ordered Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to be put into a fiery furnace for disobeying his order to worship the golden image he had erected, they responded, "The God we serve is able to save us from it... . But even if he does not...we will not serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up." (Dan. 3:13:18)
Paul said "There was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said 'My grace is sufficient for you.'" (2Cor. 12.7-9)
When facing death on the cross Jesus went away the second time and prayed "My Father if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." (Matt. 26:42) While being crucified on the cross Jesus cried out in a loud voice "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? - which means, "My God, my God why have you forsaken me?" (Matt. 27:46)
In these three faith applied examples the answer is clear as to how to deal with faith regardless of the outcome. Know that "God is able to answer faith's request, but if not." "Three times I pleaded with God to deliver, but He said, "My grace is sufficient." And Jesus, in requesting that the cup of death be removed from him said to God, "Not my will but your will be done."
Faith must be exercised with the awareness and ultimately with the trust that it is always best when God's will is done. We cannot always know, nor do we need to always know God's will in every situation. Nor can we or do we need to know the outcome of faith applied in every situation. Be of this mind: regardless to the outcome it is good because God is good, even best from God's perspective. Keep the faith, walk in faith, and know that faith is the way of salvation. The outcome is not known yet.
"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who
love him." (1 Cor 2:9)
Copyright 2014 by Uriah J. Fields
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