Miracles are not contrary to nature, but only contrary to what we know about nature.
- St. Augsutine
Psalms of Delight...
Most of the Bible's Psalms give thanks to God on one or more levels. Commanded to do so, Christians aught to make the time to praise God for His glorious nature, creative genius and many gifts to mankind.
Psalms of Delight are written in concert with Psalms in the Night. Both series contain Modern Psalms meant to comfort and inspire those seeking the Omni-God revealed in Scripture.
Mustard Seed Faith Summary
According to one survey, ninety three precent of humanity believes in something. Seventy eight percent report believing in God and fifteen percent in a universal spirit. Of these, over two billion identify themselves as Christian. But what's it mean to really believe? Are there levels of faith? If so, how are they set? Are there consequences of unbelief, even to believers? Is growing in faith worth the effort? Was Jesus seriously suggesting nothing that nothing would be impossible if we had undiluted faith the size of a mustard seed?
Mustard Seed Faith
Modern Psalm of Delight 15
Like countless throngs throughout the millennia I've found myself praying, "Lord I believe; help my unbelief." And like many I've often been disappointed. Though the truth's hard to admit, most our requests go unmet, which according to Your Word is a sure sign something's amiss. Even more alarming, when put to the test even by various mundane challenges, hundreds of millions of modern Christians find themselves unconvinced of the validity of Your promises.
Unlike many of my fellow believers, I'm not willing to keep quiet about it. With Hell to loose and Heaven to gain, eternity's literally at stake for not only those I love but all of humanity. Modern life is full of crises and opportunity. We need all of Your presence, provision and protection. We long to experience the Omni God in such a powerful way that it exceeds our puny understanding.
Thankfully the Bible You inspired millennia ago overflows with of hundreds of passages regarding Your love, faithfulness and mercy. Yet, even for those of us who've experienced some of Your goodness, Scripture suggests we've barely scratched the surface of all that's available:
- “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” Matthew 17:20
- "As Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, 'May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up. The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, 'How did the fig tree wither so quickly?' Then Jesus told them, 'I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.'” Matthew 21:18-22
- “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!" John 14:12-14
Kingdom of God is Power
Many ignore or disregard such verses as pie in the sky. That kind of thing that might fly in the 1st but not the 21st Century. Others teach the time for great miracles ceased with the canonization of Scripture into the Bible we know and love. Apparently some don't know the Bible they love as well as they ought. I'm thankful the doctrine of cessation of the gifts of the Spirit is never taught in the Scripture. In fact quite the opposite is true according to You and Your apostles:
- "And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.” Mark 16:15-18
- "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." 1 Corinthians 4:20
- "When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
- "Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven." James 5:13-15
I believe You're as good as Your Word. At least for decades I've tried to. Yet most of my daily prayers fall to the ground. And not just mine. Sadly, so few Christians are capable of, "the prayer of faith" that believers today are forced to look to medical professionals for help and healing rather than the elders of Your church. Clearly modern medicine's a wonderful blessing but billions can attest that too often it's unavailable or doesn't work. Even when it does, it could never provide the kind of stimulus for faith that miracles do. A tragic fact made all the more apparent by the likes of COVID-19.
Maelstrom of Doubt
Faithlessness seems like a vicious downward cycle. Doubt keeps us from experience the miraculous, in turn reducing our faith to mere words. Without the power of Your Spirit revealing the glories of the gospel, fewer believe and more are deceived. Exponential numbers falling prey to temptation increases the quantity and quality of sin. Such rampant and global rebellion further grieves and resists the Spirit, reducing our chances of experiencing Your presence and provision.
Far worse than all Shakespearean tragedies combined, this scenario's a global spiritual disaster. Further, we have only ourselves to blame. Humanity stands facing it's most desperate need to know its faithful Creator and Savior, yet we increasingly deny You're either. It's the a perfect storm of temptation and deception. Scripture's context is conflict theology. The Bible reveals devilish agenda's masterfully engineered by a cunning Adversary, not only deceiving mankind on Earth but accusing us day and night in Heaven.
What can I say to such things? Like Ezra, "I'm too ashamed to look up." Yet where else can we look for understanding and aid? Remember we're but foolish, sinful dust. Compared to our ancient and advanced enemies we're like helpless babies, who born yesterday die tomorrow. Yet unlike babies, we've lost our innocence and fallen from grace. With the sin of abortion alone we've covered the Earth with the innocent blood of over a billion and stand utterly condemned. Add to this our misuse of the unprecedented wealth and unimaginable blessings You've bestowed on First World Nations and we are left utterly without excuse.
Yet Lord, even our sins are not without explanation. For he that accuses and condemns us is the same who first tempted and deceived us, as well as a third of Your glorious angels! It's he, not we, are at war with You. "In wrath remember mercy." "Let God arise, Let His enemies be scattered." "Rend the Heavens and come down." Forgive us for taking your gifts and salvation for granted. Remember Your word declares You "have no pleasure in the death of the wicked." You're "not willing that any should perish." It's Your desire that "all should come to the knowledge of repentance, truth and salvation!" Banking heavily on the Bible, I approach Your Throne of Grace with fear and trembling as You've commanded. All the more as we see the Times and Seasons of trial and tribulation swiftly approaching. Embolden by desperation, I ask You to do Your stated will, Your whole will and nothing but Your will. So help us God.
Lord, I needn't explain such things to You. However You do require Christians to get a clue and cry out for deliverance and revival before we can realistically hope to move beyond various kinds of spiritual impasse and experience either. Otherwise, Scripture's prophets warn we face destruction. Both in this life and eternity. Only by quickly granting us the gift of faith can You save us from our fate. From the judgment our foolishness and sin deserve. All of which are without excuse, but not without explanation.
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