November 17 Just Believe?

Luke 8:49-50 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don't bother the teacher any more.” 50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”
 
IS it easy to “just believe” when life is good? But what happens to our faith when God seems silent? There are, after all, so very many circumstances that cause us to truly fear for ours or others’ lives. What was Jairus’ thinking here? He had pleaded with Jesus to go to his very sick daughter. Then Jairus saw the crowds press against Jesus.
   Finally, Jairus and Jesus continue on their way. But then Jairus heard, “Your daughter is dead.” How does the distraught father now “just believe”?
   How often we ask, “Am I believing on the Lord?” when friends and family – when we – suffer tragedy. What do we say to those who are “just believing” amid great poverty, constant sickness and debilitating hunger? Can we truly tell a wife with a wayward husband or a parent with an addicted child, “Just believe.” Are we able to firmly stand on Jesus’ faith teaching here?
   We can if we “just believe” this: Romans 5:8-11 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. 
   Believing the gospel is the faith that saves us from all harm. Neither poverty, disease, hunger, infidelity nor addiction determine our eternal life. Jesus suffered physically and spiritually to the depth that surpasses our understanding. He did this to offer us the way to eternal healing, so we will not suffer the eternal torment of Hell.
To “just believe” God in all matters is a faith that believes in God the Father, Son and Spirit as the author of our lives and our salvation – even as we are born in sin’s death, separated from him. When Jesus told Jairus to “just believe” he pointed the grieving father to the eternal God to trust in his unending provision for our lives.
I pray that is our view. Earthly circumstances can be very, very faith-challenging and even faith destroying until we acknowledge the power, mercy and love God exhibited through the cross, empty tomb and ascension.
  What struggles and doubts do you face? Thank God his salvation is eternal. Be reconciled in Jesus. Confess your sins. Believe he forgives you. Believe in eternal life with him.
 
Prayer: Lord God, I believe in you. I am not afraid. I have faith. In your name, I pray. Amen.