“Faith enough to get out, but not enough to get in!"

-S.E. Broden, Senior Pastor

In his book “The Saving Life of Christ”, Major W. Ian Thomas shares an idea that I found fascinating and relevant to our congregations spiritual journey as a church. Major Thomas sets forth the idea that we as a people of faith have two points of spiritual development. Each point represents an opportunity to experience growth and development in our relationship with God and each requires an act of faith as the means of accessing that relationship.

Major Thomas identifies these points in relationship to the story of Moses and the nation of Israel. As you know, Moses had the daunting task of leading the nation out of captivity, which included leading them into the Promised Land of God. Each aspect of Moses’ assignment required the nation to act in faith to the directives of God as His prophet communicated them. They were to have faith to get out of Egypt and the faith to enter into the Promised Land.  

Their faith to get out is apparent in the biblical narrative; however, we discover that as they approached the Promised Land their faith was impaired by what they saw.  Major Thomas frames their situation in these words. There were “those who had enough faith to get out, but who did not have enough faith to get in.” What an indictment. They believed enough to start the journey, but through circumstances and adversity, did not believe God enough to enter into His rest.

 "And so we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief." (Hebrews 3:19, NASB)

 We too face the same challenge in our faith walk with the Lord. For many of us we have started out on this journey upon hearing the offer of salvation. We have believed the delivering power of God and have accepted what He so freely gives. We recognize that we were slaves to sin and Pharaoh Satan did not want to let us go.  However, we believed the offer, by faith exited our Egypt, and followed God.

 This is our faith to get out; however to get out is not the end of the journey.  We must now listen to the voice of God and follow Him into a new beginning. No doubt, the journey will take us into the wilderness and dry places, however He is the one leading and we must follow. Faith enough to start is good but it must grow beyond the initial start and continue right straight into the promises of God. Unbelief will keep you out of His rest and assign you to the wilderness where the inevitable occurs, death.

Faith to enter in requires that we keep our focus on Him and not the circumstances of this desert call life.

 "for we walk by faith, not by sight—" (2 Corinthians 5:7, NASB)

  Faith to enter in requires that we not grow weary and faint, but rather that we run with patience’s knowing that God is in control and is at the steering wheel of our life.

 "And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary." (Galatians 6:9, NASB)

As Pastor, I sit in a unique position of observing the overall spiritual condition of our congregation. There are times when we appear to be fully engaged in the pursuit of our faith walk, and our participation is reflective of our desire to grow. Other times, we seem to disappear into the trials of our circumstances disengaged from the faith required of us to please our God.

When things go awry, and they will from time to time as we journey in this life.  Jesus said

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”" (John 16:33, NASB)

 Life’s journey is in the desert. The trails of this world, and the disappointments of those who have failed you and stand in your way all affirm this is a fallen world, a desert!  What makes sense of the desert is the presence of God. Without His presence, our journey does not make sense! However, because we had the faith to get out, we know that He is with us based exclusively on what He is saying to us through His word. We must simply trust what He is saying. To do otherwise is to call into question the very character of God. This is classic unbelief, which leads to an assignment outside of the rest of God. May I encourage you do not allow your circumstances to put you into a mind frame of faith-less-ness.

Keep moving towards the promise of God, and participate in your personal growth by keeping your commitments to your family, and your church. We have made available to you discipleship classes and pray services to enhance your faith walk with God.  Do not let your circumstances deter you from entering into the promise of God. Our relationship with God is one of faith. He only wants us to trust Him. Not trusting Him means we only had faith to get out, but not enough to enter in. Two points in the journey, and faith is the key.

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:" (2 Timothy 4:7, KJV)