Because of the tectonic shift in the political and secular world, it has now become necessary for true Christians to learn to walk entirely by faith, without the many props society has now made available. In times past it was quite easy to speak of having faith in Christ, because the secular world offered many “safety nets” to God’s promises, and because of this the Biblical concept of walking by faith had become pretty blurred. But now, as the proverbial carpet is being pulled from under our feet, and the various man-made systems we once trusted in now begin to crumble, we will need an experience with God like never before, trusting Him for everything, on a day to day basis, including our most basic needs.
A person does not wake up one morning and start to walk by faith in God, for as stated before, on this forum, it takes time, and it takes practice. In other words, Christ being the first, and only Resource we turn to in times of dire need and difficulty, does not happen overnight, but is instead a deep, substantive ongoing development of trusting in God in all of our ways. In fact, there is a world of difference between waiting on God in humble confidence and patience, with a cheerful attitude, and waiting on Him in a nervous anticipation; fretting, murmuring, and impatient at any apparent delay. And there’s a valid reason why we need to learn to walk by faith in God alone. Let’s read:
The Great Controversy. pp 621>622] The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger,—a faith that will not faint, though severely tried. The period of probation is granted to all to prepare for that time. Those who exercise but little faith now, are in the greatest danger of falling under the power of Satanic delusions and the decree to compel the conscience. And even if they endure the test, they will be plunged into deeper distress and anguish in the time of trouble, because they have never made it a habit to trust in God. The lessons of faith which they have neglected, they will be forced to learn under a terrible pressure of discouragement.
In the days of Samuel, king Saul, was told to wait on God’s presence, and guidance through His servant, and he did wait, but his attitude whilst doing so did not savor of faith, but rather of resentment. This was made clear, when after waiting for the stated seven days, he immediately instituted plan “B”, a sure sign that he had given himself up to frustration and murmuring. Waiting on Christ with the right attitude will enable us to refuse any semblance of plan “B”, even if God does not come through at the appointed times, or in stipulated ways. Let’s read:
1st Samuel 13:5 And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.
6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.
7 As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
8 And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.
9 And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.
10 And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came.
11 And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;
12 Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
Several questions arise out of this episode with Saul, and the answers have direct application and meaning for us, whenever we may be faced with personal, or national emergencies. There were issues that Saul must deal with in the absence of Samuel, such as the many desertions of his infantry, foreboding premonitions on account of the massive army he was facing, the unexplained delay of the prophet, and the utter discouragement of the army because of fear.
What then was Saul supposed to do in such a dire situation, and what are we to do when we may be facing a serious crisis, which may have devastating consequences? It all has to do with our freedom to choose, for there are some things God cannot do for us. At times like these, we can choose to dwell on God’s goodness towards us in times past, by recounting the numerous occasions when He came through for us. Or, we can choose to dwell on the crisis of the moment, allowing ourselves to be overwhelmed with what we cannot change, and murmuring in our hearts about God’s ways, the whys and the whens. Let’s read:
[Last day Events pp 72] We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.
The choice is ours, but one thing is certain, God will never force us to have a cheerful spirit. However, if we choose to extol His goodness, and His blessings towards us, then the stage will be set for a marked deliverance of no ordinary character, and therefore, what once seemed to be a defeat, will instead be a learning curve, where our faith in God will become more firmly established.
Thus, we will read an overview of the experiences of the Hebrews, which is to serve as a template for our own experiences in learning to walk by faith with The Lord. As they leave Egypt, and begin their journey through the desert, several opportunities to learn the all-important process of walking by faith are granted them, but sadly, in the overwhelming majority of instances, they fail to trust in The Lord, instead, looking to a mere mortal man to solve their problems, and to supply their most urgent needs. This past election cycle was too reminiscent of the Hebrew experiences, for many in the Christian, and evangelical world turned to a mortal man with their anxiety, and concerns, instead of trusting in Christ, our invisible Leader.
There were two main areas of grave concern, which provided ample opportunity on several occasions for the Hebrews to learn how to walk by faith.
[1] Personal, and national security.
Exodus 14:9 But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea.
10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord.
11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
[2] Food.
Exodus 16:2 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:
3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.
4 Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.
The Hebrews kept reminiscing on their past life in Egyptian bondage, instead of rejoicing over the great deliverance God had wrought for them. When Christ has set us free from the shackles of sin, it is never a good idea to keep referencing our past lives outside of Christ, for the old life pales in comparison with the new life in Jesus. In other words, we should never look backward, but forward, and even though trials may thicken around us, yet the very thought of being made free in Christ, should eclipse any and every challenge which may arise.
Another problem which often arose amongst the Hebrews was their tendency to look to Moses and Aaron, instead of to God. Hence the reason why at every change of fortune, they kept blaming them. If as Christians we become entangled in the snares of looking to mortal man, and secular leaders for the answers to our most pressing problems, then the process of learning to walk by faith will inevitably become severely inhibited. Let’s read:
Jeremiah 17:5 Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.
6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.
Learning to walk by faith therefore, involves one of the most fundamental questions pertaining to our survival on this planet in times of national adversity, or extreme personal emergency. And that question is “What do we do when our backs are up against a wall? Do we turn to God with all our hearts and wait patiently, and cheerfully for His deliverance? Or do we take matters into our own hands, looking for man-made solutions, and only turning to God for help when we have no other choice. In other words, is God our first Resource, or our last resort?
Our answers to these questions will make all the difference, and thus, in the following exposition on the wilderness experience of the Hebrews, several pitfalls will be highlighted, which should serve as beacons of warning to us in our own wilderness experiences. Let’s read:
[Patriarchs & Prophets. pp 292>294] They had not as yet suffered from hunger; their present wants were supplied, but they feared for the future. They could not understand how these vast multitudes were to subsist in their travels through the wilderness, and in imagination they saw their children famishing. The Lord permitted difficulties to surround them, and their supply of food to be cut short, that their hearts might turn to Him who had hitherto been their Deliverer.
If in their want they would call upon Him, He would still grant them manifest tokens of His love and care. He had promised that if they would obey His commandments, no disease should come upon them, and it was sinful unbelief on their part to anticipate that they or their children might die for hunger. God had promised to be their God, to take them to Himself as a people, and to lead them to a large and good land; but they were ready to faint at every obstacle encountered in the way to that land. They were unwilling to trust the Lord any further than they could witness the continual evidences of His power.
They forgot their bitter service in Egypt. They forgot the goodness and power of God displayed in their behalf in their deliverance from bondage. They forgot how their children had been spared when the destroying angel slew all the first-born of Egypt. They forgot the grand exhibition of divine power at the Red Sea. They forgot that while they had crossed safely in the path that had been opened for them, the armies of their enemies, attempting to follow them, had been overwhelmed by the waters of the sea.
They saw and felt only their present inconveniences and trials; and instead of saying, “God has done great things for us”, they talked of the hardness of the way and wondered when their weary pilgrimage would end. The history of the wilderness life of Israel was chronicled for the benefit of the Israel of God to the close of time. The record of God's dealings with the wanderers of the desert in all their marchings to and fro, in their exposure to hunger, thirst, and weariness, and in the striking manifestations of His power for their relief, is fraught with warning and instruction for His people in all ages.
The varied experience of the Hebrews was a school of preparation for their promised home in Canaan. God would have His people in these days review with a humble heart and teachable spirit the trials through which ancient Israel passed, that they may be instructed in their preparation for the heavenly Canaan. Many look back to the Israelites, and marvel at their unbelief and murmuring, feeling that they themselves would not have been so ungrateful; but when their faith is tested, even by little trials, they manifest no more faith or patience than did ancient Israel.
When brought into strait places, they murmur at the process by which God has chosen to purify them. Though their present needs are supplied, many are unwilling to trust God for the future, and they are in constant anxiety lest poverty shall come upon them, and their children shall be left to suffer. Some are always anticipating evil or magnifying the difficulties that really exist, so that their eyes are blinded to the many blessings which demand their gratitude.
The obstacles they encounter, instead of leading them to seek help from God, the only Source of strength, separate them from Him, because they awaken unrest and repining. Do we well to be thus unbelieving? Why should we be ungrateful and distrustful? Jesus is our friend; all heaven is interested in our welfare; and our anxiety and fear grieve the Holy Spirit of God. We should not indulge in a solicitude that only frets and wears us, but does not help us to bear trials.
No place should be given to that distrust of God which leads us to make a preparation against future want the chief pursuit of life, as though our happiness consisted in these earthly things. It is not the will of God that His people should be weighed down with care.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which can enable us to walk by faith, and it is the will of God, that in every situation, or experience that may test us, that we will turn to Christ first, for faith that is not tested cannot be trusted. Let’s read:
Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
God bless!