You’ve heard it and so have I; it sounds like a truth statement that comes right out of the Bible. Guess what? It’s not in there. Does that mean it’s not true?
It sounds a lot like the Scriptural statement, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) These two truth statements are not the same. I can believe something that is not true. If I trust the untrustworthy, the power which I am searching for in my life will not be permanent nor will it be meaningful.
The artificial sources that promise to provide true and lasting meaning all leave us empty and longing for more. If Christ becomes our resource, our center, then the spring of meaning that we’re all looking for will provide deep and lasting contentment.
Our world is full of promise-making systems and substances and all of them disappoint in one measure or another. I’ve watched people give their lives to something and achieve all they were hoping for yet find themselves disappointed and yearning for more. Wealth seems chintzy, strength fades, fame fizzles, power shifts, possessions turn to ash, even family faulters. One thing is certain. Christ is supreme. He is the source of our strength. He is the power upon which we stand. He is the Eternal Promise Keeper, and he will never fail.
Prayer for today: Jesus, I turn to you as the provider I trust. I abandon all the promises the culture makes and choose you as my source. I know you will never fail. Thank you for your faithfulness. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Wes
2 Comments
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Marsha Schlangen
Yes Pastor! I have heard these “truisms” many times in my life., and I especially think of song lyrics. However well-intentioned, composers of songs (that people sing over and over) present a mantra and “truth” to people hungry for belief. I often see people performing these songs with great passion as the lyrics imprint on their hearts. Listening critically these days.
The lyrics from this song from “The Prince of Egypt” especially came to mind:
Many nights we prayed
With no proof, anyone could hear
In our hearts a hopeful song
We barely understood
Now, we are not afraid
Although we know there’s much to fear
We were moving mountains
Long before we knew we could, whoa, yes
There can be miracles when you believe
Though hope is frail, it’s hard to kill
Who knows what miracles you can achieve?
When you believe, somehow you will
You will when you believe
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Mm-mm, yeah
In this time of fear
When prayer so often proves in vain
Hope seems like the summer bird
Too swiftly flown away
Yet now I’m standing here
My hearts so full, I can’t explain
Seeking faith and speakin’ words
I never thought I’d say
There can be miracles
When you believe (when you believe)
Though hope is frail, it’s hard to kill (mm)
Who knows what miracles you can achieve? (You can achieve)
When you believe, somehow you will
You will when you believe
They don’t always happen when you ask
And can it easy to give in to your fears?
But when you’re blinded by your pain
Can’t see the way, get through the rain
A small but still, resilient voice
Says, “Help is very near, ” oh (oh)
There can be miracles (miracles)
When you believe (boy, when you believe, yeah)
Though hope is frail
It’s hard to kill (hard to kill, oh, yeah)
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve (you can achieve, oh)
When you believe somehow you will (somehow, somehow, somehow)
Now, you will (I know, I know, know)
You will when you (when you)
Believe
You will when you (you will when you)
Believe
Just believe (believe)
Darling, just believe
You will when you
Believe
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Kenneth Babyface Edmonds / Stephen Lawrence Schwartz
When You Believe lyrics © Warner-tamerlane Publishing Corp., Sony/atv Songs Llc, Ecaf Music, Sony/atv Epic Solar, Songs Of Dwa, Dwa Songs, Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited
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