“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.”
-Romans 8:1-4
Its curious how we, as human beings, frequently forget to place our complete trust in God. Whether it be for a short season or a long, misplaced trust often manifests itself slowly and methodically in our lives. One moment we find ourselves wholly fixed on the goal set before us then, over time, life begins to creep in. The scary part about it all is that we often think we are giving our best to God! We trick ourselves into believing that we are giving our best to Him, when in reality he has been placed in the backseat of the grand scheme of our lives. When we are knocked down and beaten to our lowest, where do our priorities lie? What truly matters, and what doesnt matter at all?
I feel like Simon Peter during my own times of misplaced trust. I know Ive spoken on the subject much in the past, but it is so incredibly applicable and relevant to our daily lives! Peters properly placed faith in his Savior enabled him to walk on water yet should this really astonish us? Time and time again, the Lord has shown us that an unwavering faith moves mountains. Its when we entertain our worries and woes on an equal level with our faith in Christ that we run in to problems. The very moment Peter removed his eyes from Christ he began to sink.
Boom. Its that fast. We can almost hear Peter as he thinks the situation through
“Wait a second this is absurd, I shouldnt be able to do this! What about the natural laws of gravity? Im going to sink! What of this raging storm all about me? Surely the creatures of the deep will devour me in a moment! What was I thinking how could I be so stupid? How could I…”
Or a more modern spin on things might go:
“How am I ever going to pay all these bills? I really dont know what I want to do with my life. Am I just wasting time? Will I ever find the right guy/girl God has for me? How can I plan for my future when the present seems to be going no where? Where is God when I need him- doesnt he realize how important these things are to ME?”
I’m being dramatic my friends, but when you search your own heart you may find that you are falling into this same pitfall. Isnt it wonderfully reassuring to know that Christ extends a steady hand during the trying times of our lives? Though we allow our sinful natures to place trivial, earthly things above our faith in Christ, the Lord still makes himself known! How thankful we should be for these times of realization that the Lord provides us with. It seems like they often hit me like a freight train (indeed thats what happened tonight as I was doing my nightly run through the neighborhood). My friends, let us take hold of the Lords steadying hand while we still have time- there is nothing to lose and everything to gain!
The following hymn was consistently popping into my head tonight as I mulled over this subject- hopefully youll find some comfort and solace in it as well. May the Lord give us grace and soundness of mind to examine ours hearts daily so that we might culture a well-placed faith in Christ Jesus; our number one priority.
My Hope is Built
By Edward Mote
REFRAIN:
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus Name.
Refrain
When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
Refrain
His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
Refrain
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
