Living by faith
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)
Introduction: We live in the realm of the unknown
Experiences of the unknown
Elisha’s servant
Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. (2 Kings 6:14-17)
Balaam’s Donkey
When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat it to get it back on the road.24 Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat the donkey again.26 Then the angel of the Lord moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat it with his staff. 28 Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?”29 Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.”30 The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?”
“No,” he said. (Numbers 22:23-30)
Do we have the faith of Elisha and Balaam’s donkey or the lack of faith by Elisha’s servant and Balaam? It is kind of embarrassing when a donkey has more faith than we do.
Trust God!
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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