Your Branch Or GodÂ’s Command?
Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for God who has promised is faithful. Heb.10:23
This thought of exercising faith without wavering, although repeated in scripture, is more easily preached than practiced. Jesus frequently said, in the presence of his disciples, “Thy faith has made thee whole”. Yet, when they though that they were in peril, he had to say to them, “Where is your faith?” Practising faith is challenging. Consider the story of a lone mountain climber.
This thought of exercising faith without wavering, although repeated in scripture, is more easily preached than practiced. Jesus frequently said, in the presence of his disciples, “Thy faith has made thee whole”. Yet, when they though that they were in peril, he had to say to them, “Where is your faith?” Practising faith is challenging. Consider the story of a lone mountain climber.
This mountain climber had almost reached the top of a high peak. The night was still, dark and cold. He slipped and fell rapidly through the air. His life flashed before him as he thought of impending death. In falling he managed to hold on to a branch of a tree jutting out from the edge of a cliff. But his hands grew tired of holding on and he could see no way of getting to safety. In desperation he cried out, “God, help me.” A response came back: “What do you want me to do?” “Save me, God” the man said. God asked, “Do you really think I can save you?” The man replied, “Of course I believe that you can.” God responded: “Then let go of the branch.” There was a long silence; and the man decided to hold on to the branch with all his strength. The rescue team tells that the next day a climber was found dead and frozen, hanging on to a tree branch, his hands clinging tightly to the branch … only ten feet above the ground.
This mountain climber could not exercise the faith he claimed to have. He could not trust God with his life. Instead he held on to what he thought he knew, even though he recognized it to be inadequate. He did not have enough faith to release himself into GodÂ’s care. How different the final picture would have been!
Are you holding on to a branch that cannot take you to safety? Have you heard God’s command to let go? Can you trust him enough to let go and fall into the safety of his embrace? Or will you cling onto your branch and meet your peril? Our text reminds us: “Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for God who has promised is faithful.” The bottom line is ‘God can be trusted’. Like the Psalmist, say, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Ps.20:8 NIV)
Prayer: Dear Lord, so often we hear you call us to safety, but because we cannot see where you are leading we are unable to trust you. And so we hold on to our personal branches such as friends, money, a job, even ourselves. Help us to let go and allow you to catch us as we fall. Amen.
This mountain climber could not exercise the faith he claimed to have. He could not trust God with his life. Instead he held on to what he thought he knew, even though he recognized it to be inadequate. He did not have enough faith to release himself into GodÂ’s care. How different the final picture would have been!
Are you holding on to a branch that cannot take you to safety? Have you heard God’s command to let go? Can you trust him enough to let go and fall into the safety of his embrace? Or will you cling onto your branch and meet your peril? Our text reminds us: “Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for God who has promised is faithful.” The bottom line is ‘God can be trusted’. Like the Psalmist, say, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Ps.20:8 NIV)
Prayer: Dear Lord, so often we hear you call us to safety, but because we cannot see where you are leading we are unable to trust you. And so we hold on to our personal branches such as friends, money, a job, even ourselves. Help us to let go and allow you to catch us as we fall. Amen.
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