Stepping Out

Now Faith is the assurance of things hoped for,
the conviction of things not seen.
- Hebrews 11:1 -

Have you noticed how God hardly asks us to do something that agrees with our common sense?  The remnant of Judah thought it prudent to flee to Egypt, but the Lord told them to stay in war-torn Jerusalem and face the enemy.  They did not listen.  They trusted their own common sense and in the end were destroyed (Jer 42-44).  History is littered with the bones of those who trusted in themselves. Faith and common sense don't mix.  The reason we have so little faith in God is because we trust too much in ourselves and in others.  But there is more hope for a fool than one who is wise in his own eyes.  To trust our own judgment is foolishness because we only see so little.  But God sees all and he says, "I know the plans I have for you." If we can see the outcome it is no longer faith.  Faith takes us out of predictability and our security into the wilderness of absolute trust.  Faith says, "I don't know where I'm going, but the One who is leading knows."  Faith, says the Bible, is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. And without faith it is impossible to please God.