Praying at the Face of Threats

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright” (Psa 20:7—8). Read Psalm 20:1—9.

Wishing the king success as he set out for military campaigns was a significant part of the life of nations in the ancient world. Only one party wins any battle. Defeat is the last chapter in the life of that nation. The king who leads the battle may lose his life, along with many army officers and soldiers. The survivors will end up in exile in faraway nations, never to see their homeland again. Psalms 20 and 21 are written against this historical background. The first one is the prayer offered while sending out the army led by the king, and the second one celebrates the victory. In this case, the king and the army returned victorious. In the first five verses of Psalm 20, the subjects wish that everything will go well with the king. As they wish the king success, the people do not praise the king or his army for their power or abilities. But they invoke the blessing of the Lord upon the soldiers stepping into a venture that would decide the destiny of their nation, praying, “May he (the Lord).” Every sentence begins with this phrase and seven times in five verses! The Lord determines the outcome of the battle. They reiterate this truth in the following verses. The enemy seems to be stronger and has advanced battle equipment like chariots and horses. Israel was always far behind other nations technologically. In the late bronze age, when the Canaanites had fortified cities, horses and chariots, they had none. Later in the Iron Age, when the Philistines knew iron technology and had swords and spears, Israel had only two swords in the entire nation—one for Saul and another for his son Jonathan. Later in the eighth century, when Assyrians threatened them, Hezekiah had to buy horses and chariots from Egypt to withstand the enemy. Though poor in the armoury, they had great confidence in the Lord. Their history has taught them to say: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright” (Psa 20:7—8). Knowing that no nation is a match for the Lord they serve, they prayed: “O LORD, save the king! May he answer us when we call” (Psa 20:9). Yes he did, that is the story the following Psalm tells. The Lord who collapsed the walls of Jericho without an arrow shot, who helped David to fell the gaint with just one sling shot, did it again. When we stare at formidable challenges, fear of failure, our confidence is in the Lord who repeats history for his faithful.

Crowd Encouragement

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us” (Heb 12:1, NLT).

I am always inspired to go after a challenge when I realize others have gone before me. It need not be high-risk adventures like walking through a long, dark, narrow tunnel, bungee jumping in a remote location, or paragliding over a deep gorge. It could be any mundane aspects of life, where bold, confident action is involved.

Christian life is an adventure. It is a journey to the invisible, eternity or our life with God that we never been to through unfamiliar territories. In this journey every step is stimulated by faith in Jesus Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

But still, when tempted to give up hope and confidence comes from the realization that we are not alone but there are others who have already completed this race successfully. This verse is the climax of the long list of heroes of faith that begins in the previous chapter (Chapter 11). These superheroes of faith crossed the finish line, and they await our arrival as we are still on our way. This crowd of witnesses motivates us in our Christian race. If they could do it, then we can do it too.

“O, Lord, give me the same strength that you gave to those who went ahead of me to complete their race despite discouragement, weakness, and doubt. Let me run this race with the strength you give me."

Not practical, nor pragmatic, just blind faith

I believe most of us are very practical in our thinking. Practical thinking is assessing if something that we plan to do is doable. For example, Bungee jumping. The observation that so many people have done it, and they are doing it makes me think that I can do it also. So, I do it. That is practical thinking.

However, though we often confuse practical thinking with pragmatic thinking they are different. In simpler terms the pragmatic decision also asks another question—though it is achievable, will it lead to some useful results? Bungee jumping is again the example. I can plunge into the ravine with one end a rope tied to my ankle and the other end firmly tied to a post, with all life-saving systems on stand-by. But what am I going to get out of it? In real terms, nothing useful is going to come out of it. So, though it is practical it is not pragmatic. But if I am descending to the ravine to save a person fallen into it, that Bungee jumping is not useless; the decision to do that is certainly pragmatic.
 

Ruth’s (the Biblical character) decision to follow Naomi was not pragmatic. Her sister Orpah weighed the pros and cons of following the mother-in-law to the homeland and decided that it is not pragmatic, so she returned home. However, Ruth was also equally persuaded by the mother-in-law to return; she also might have found out that it is not pragmatic to follow the frail old woman who cannot promise a better life. But she still followed her.
 

However, the rest of the story tells us that, though Ruth’s decision was not a well-considered pragmatic decision, it turned out to be the best for her and her mother-in-law. Orpah who was extremely pragmatic vanished from the story as she took the first step back home.
 

Ruth flourished, she found a husband who happened to be rich, kind, and righteous in his dealings. She became the grandmother of the great king of Israel, David, and also the ancestor of the promised Messiah. Her name is mentioned in the sacred books of two major ancient religions—Judaism and Christianity.
 

What turned Ruth’s decision a very pragmatic decision? It is the invisible mover who is behind the story of the Book of Ruth. The book got its name after the main character, Ruth. However, a closer look reveals that Ruth is not the main character, nor even Naomi. The name Ruth is mentioned 12 times in the Book excluding the pronouns referring to her. However, God is mentioned 19 times excluding pronouns! So, in the author’s mind, the crucial character is God rather than Ruth. Though he is not center stage, he moves the pieces, to bring what otherwise ended tragically to a happy ending—and they lived happily ever after.
God is the divine orchestrator, the invisible mover. He prompts Ruth to follow Naomi back to her homeland. He leads her to Boaz’s field during harvest season. He brings Boaz to the field when Ruth was there. He makes Naomi advise Ruth to go to Boaz’s threshing field to ask Boaz to marry her and protect her. The same invisible mover makes the marriage happen and a son born to the once destitute Ruth.

Though pragmatic thinking has its due place, the success of life is not all in the best pragmatic reasoning. It is God, the invisible mover behind each individual’s story decides the outcome of our life. Ruth decided to make Naomi’s God, her God. When she decided to follow the God of the Bible, God shadowed her wherever she went. 

(Photo courtesy: Arun Mathew)

Why prayers are not answered?

When things happen not the way we prayed for, it could mean that what we prayed was not in God's will. This is one of the many possibilities. Other possibilities are that we did not have enough faith in God when we prayed. As James says, we should ask in faith with no doubt. He said further that the person who doubts 'is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord' (James 1:7-8, ESV).

Lack of faith, or prayer with doubt that arises out of a double-mind could be one reason why prayers are not answered. However, the possibility remains for prayers in full faith to be unanswered. It could be that what we prayed for is not in the will of God.

I can think of the case of Paul where he says that he prayed three times for the 'thorn in the flesh' to be removed. It could be ailment that he prayed for healing. However, God did not answer his prayer for healing but just assured him of His constant sustaining grace: 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness' (2 Cor 12:9, ESV).

What went wrong with Paul's prayers? It seems that he was praying for something that was not in God's will.

So, what should we do when things happen against our expectations even after earnest prayers? We should surrender to his supreme will and move in the direction he shows hoping that God has chosen us the best. Again we exercise our faith in God. The faith that all gifts that God, 'the father of lights' sends are good (James 1:17).

Touching Jesus in faith

'Who touched my garments?' Jesus asked. The answer of his disciples was rather sarcastic: 'You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, "Who touched me?"' They are right, there is a big crowd; there are so many people who rub against him, and he cannot move around without touching anyone. It is senseless to ask who touched me in such a crowd.

However, for Jesus, it was a special touch. It is not like the touch of the hundreds of people around him. He felt the healing power going out of him at the moment of that touch. That touch is thus different from all other touch.

When Jesus insisted on identifying that person who touched him, a woman came forward from the crowd trembling. She had touched him from behind the crowd so that she will not be identified. She had many reasons for remaining anonymous: shame, being woman in a majority male crowd, more than that with that annoying constant bleeding she is defiled. Whatever she touches and whoever touches her is deemed to be defiled.

But she touched in faith. The people who were thronging around Jesus did not touch him with faith like hers. She believed that a touch of his garments will heal her. Her touch was different because it was a touch of faith.

There are many people who gather around Jesus. They throng into gospel crusades, Christian fellowships and Bible study groups to know more about him. But only a few really touch him to be healed, to receive his power to heal. It is up to us to decide whether we belong to those who throng around him or the one that touches longing to be healed; to receive his special power.

For some it is shame but for others it is fame!

The world is after fame. The greatest goals are to be famous and rich.
There is a way of being known though it may not make you rich. Let me explain.

Paul begins his letter to the Romans with thanksgiving and prayer. He does so in most of his letters. The reason for thanksgiving is that their ‘faith is proclaimed in all the world’ (1:8). Here, 'faith' is not the dogma or the act of believing. Faith here means how one struggles to keep what one has come to believe as true.

We don’t know how the believers in Rome were famous for their faith. It is clear from the latter part of this epistle that Paul knew many of them by name (Rom 16:1-16). We may guess that many of the believers or even the church collectively had to struggle to keep their faith alive in hostile circumstances. Their battles to keep their faith might have become known in all the churches all around the world. Note that Paul later commends them also for their obedience that had become famous all over the world (16:9). In similar ways, the church in Thessalonica was also known around the world among the believers for their faith (1 Thess 1:8).

Being known for the steadfastness of faith is highly commendable. We are familiar with the inspiring stories of the courage of the Christians in persecuted countries. Many of them who followed Jesus to the point of their death or imprisonment are famous—not for their contribution to art, literature or sports like many famous people. But they are known for their integrity and steadfastness of faith. They held on to Jesus and hated their own life. The churches in Rome and Thessalonica and many other places rose to fame through ways that for the world were shameful. Imprisonment, suffering and public execution are shameful by the world's standards. But their faith that made them uphold Christ turns out to be something to be remembered for ever.

Faith of Isaac

We have heard a lot about the faith of Abraham. He is also known as the father of the faithful. His faith to leave his country and venture into unknown lands trusting God is well-known. Even more is his faith in God when he was asked to offer his only son Isaac (Genesis 22). He trusted that God will provide a lamb at the right time. And it happened! When he was swinging the knife at his only son tied to the altar, he heard the voice that God has provided a ram in the place of his son.
In narrating the story of Abraham's readiness to sacrifice his son we often leave out Isaac. Does this story tell us something about the faith of Isaac as well?
Isaac was not an infant when the incident happened. He was an adult. He could travel with his father, then he could climb up the mount where he was to be sacrificed. According to some Jewish traditions, Isaac was 37 years old when this happened. He could ask rational questions. Noting what is missing in their planning, he could ask his father where is the lamb?
Though he was capable of rational thinking and strong enough to resist his old father's actions, he didn't. He believed what his father told him that God will provide a lamb. He believed it even when he was tied and placed on the altar, he believed it even when he saw the knife was about to slit his throat. He had faith that God will provide the lamb for the sacrifice and it is not him who will go up in the smoke of the altar.
Isaac's faith was that 'God will provide.' Probably, this faith was formed in him in the early days of his childhood. His mother might have told him of her barrenness. But even though he crossed the age of child-bearing God provided him to them. Now, that faith is reinforced as his father dropped the knife, ran to the thicket, and came back with a ram. He was untied and he watched the lamb going up in the flames. The flames that would have licked his life out of him is devouring the body of the ram. His faith was confirmed--God will provide.
Isaac carried that faith to the most part of his life. For example, when the shepherds of Gerar disputed with him over the wells he dug, he chose to suffer loss and moved to another place to dig wells believing that God will provide (Genesis 26:18-22). And God did provide. Wherever he dug he hit the water.
He had to exercise the same faith as his father's servant hit the long, dusty road to find a wife for him. He did not go with the servant to make sure that the person he would choose will be the right choice. He just trusted that God will provide the right person to be his wife. And he spent his time devoid of anxiety, meditating in the open fields (Genesis 24:63). Through a miraculous turn of events, God did provide for him the right person.
However, we are not sure if Isaac, like us sometimes, was able to maintain that faith throughout his life. His appetite for wild games that his son Esau fed him made him love him more than the other son. Though he trusted God for his wife, it seems that they could not maintain that intimacy to the end of their marriage. They took sides, wife duped him by dressing up her beloved son as Esau and feeding her a lamb stew. Faith waxes and wanes. However, it is important to have faith, faith that Isaac had--God will provide.

Taste and See!

As you walk past the aisles of Duty-Free shops in airports, the sales girls plead to try the new perfume that has just arrived in the shop. Sniff and decide they suggest. At the entrance of the grocery shop is a small counter where sales persons offer you a new type of tea free though in tiny cups. Taste and see if it is better than the teas that you have tasted so far.
Most of the time our choices are not based on our primary experience but hearsay and experiences of others. For example, most of the time our decisions are based on what others suggest or what the brand ambassadors promote. Our decisions should not be based on hearsay but on experience. That applies to Christian faith as well.
The psalmist who sang 'Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good' (Psalms 34:8) was recommending his faith in God. However, his invitation is not to follow his faith blindly but to experience God first before committing. There is some place for the logic 'It works for others so it must work for me too.' However, it should not be based on such blind trust but we should experience God on a one-to-one level. First-hand experience of God is important.

Little James' Big Faith

I noticed James (not the real name) waiting to meet me. He was of a very frail small frame, shy and seldom spoke in public or in a group. He is an overseas student who is very much part of the little congregation that I pastor in university town in India.
When the last person was gone, James came forward and muttered: ‘Pastor, can I have a word with you, outside?’ So, I followed him to the balcony of the church. Leaning on the rails of the balcony, I stared at him to hear another big problem my little sheep is facing. It can be about a sickness that he suffers silently, a relationship problem—he might have spotted his girl friend in the company of another person, or a problem at his far away home—mom is sick or father might have lost job.
But James’ problem appeared small to me. He hasn’t paid house-rent for the last two months. Parents haven’t sent the money, but they have promised they will sent it soon! But the landlord has issued the ultimatum of 48 hours. If he is not able to pay it within two days he will have to leave the house, leaving his precious possessions behind until he pay it in full.
My mind made some quick calculations as I found out how much he owe his landlord. I suggested that I will lend him the money right now so that he can avoid the evacuation. He can pay me when the parents send the money. So, I encouraged him, patted on his shoulder as I began to walk away to the other person waiting for the pastor. But James stopped me. He said, ‘Pastor! I don’t want to borrow.’ ‘I only need your prayer. Could you pray for me right now that the money will come tomorrow.’
‘Of course!’ I said. We bowed our heads and prayed—James bowed his head in faith but I rather in shame and embarassment.
Just before the the deadline set by his landlord was over I called James to find out if he received the money. My rescue plan was still in place, ready for any eventuality.  James’ ‘hello’ had a rim of joy as he picked up my call. ‘Yes pastor!’ he said in a very jubilant tone. ‘Mom transferred the money online and I paid the rent,’ he continued. ‘Praise God,’ I said in a rather subdued voice. I, an experienced, senior pastor felt guilty and shrank in size before a young man who was full of faith. I depended on my mind and my capacity to help the poor and needy. But this young man, a new believer had faith full to the rim. He knew that something that I also knew but often ignored—God hears prayers.

Opening of our eyes

A few kilo metres from where I live, was a farm opened for visitors. It was an rare patch of pristine countryside in the midst of a booming urban landscape. Among the many attractions there, was the workshop of a potter. In his workshop, the potter displayed making various articles from clay. I had frequented his workshop a number of times. He is very patient as he works with wet clay on his wheels. The patience of the potter and the vulnerability of the clay combined ends up in a beautiful clay object!

Whenever, I visited this potter's workshop, I used picture myself as the clay on the wheels and the fingers of the potter as that of my Lord who shapes me. The Lord is like a potter, willing to work with us as long as we are willing to be shaped by his hands. He doesn't give up in the middle of the process if we are willing and vulnerable in his hands. He keeps working on us to bring to fulfilment what he has begun in us. That’s why he is called, ‘the founder and perfecter of our faith’ (Heb 12:2).

The story in Mark 8:22-26 is about a blind man who was brought to Jesus so that he may receive healing. Jesus had healed many sick so far; especially those who are blind. But this healing is very unique. First of all, it is found only in the Gospel of Mark. Secondly, rather unusually, Jesus takes this man out of his village to be healed. Third strange thing is that, Jesus spat on his eyes; certainly the spray must have fallen all over his face too! Fourthly, though there is nothing unusual about touching the eyes in order to receive healing, in this case, Jesus had to touch twice! After the first touch, Jesus asked the man whether he is able to see or not his answer was rather strange. He said, ‘I see people, they walk like trees.’ Trees don't walk! He might have seen people walking around and people might have appeared to as trees. What is important is that he did not receive total healing. Jesus had to try again. On the second touch he received full sight: ‘He saw everything clearly.’ Finally, he prevents him from entering the village again.

It is important to note that how the first readers of the Gospel of Mark might have read it. They could identify with this man who was taken out of his village to receive healing. Like him they were also led out of their villages, homes and businesses to follow him. In this Gospel we have the stories of Peter, Andrew, James and John the fishermen and that of Levi the tax-collector who were called by Jesus. They had to leave their fishing nets, their boats and their tax-booths in order to follow him and travel all over the towns and villages of Galilee. As the gospel was preached all over the world, many followed suit: Leaving their villages and towns, their own communities and families behind. They were not allowed to go back, though some did. Like Demas who went back because of his love for the world. The story though strange it looks was packed with significance for all of us. We can all put ourselves in the shoes of this man who follows the Lord, cutting all that moorings to our life-style.

This calling and going out was to receive sight—a new sight about the Galilean carpenter. The new sight they received was that the Galilean carpenter by the name Jesus is not just an ordinary leader but he is the Messiah, the saviour of the world.

However, this sight they received about him was not sudden, it was gradual. They began with total ignorance, then slowly, degree by degree they began to receive deeper insights about him—like this blind man. First he was blind, then his sight was foggy and then clarity came.

It is this idea of receiving sight by degrees that Mark intends to convey by positioning this event at this particular point in his Gospel. This passage that is unique to the Gospel of Mark is placed between Jesus’ warning about ‘leaven of the Pharisees’ (Mark 8:11-21) and Peter’s confession (Mark 8:27-30). The Pharisees though they have seen many signs that Jesus’ had performed still needed more sign. They were not willing to accept the fact that Jesus is the promised Messiah. Their unwillingness to accept Jesus is the leaven. The disciples in a like manner were not able to put their trust in him fully. The miracles and teachings have to produce faith in them but they were not sufficient progress in their journey of faith with him. When Jesus mentioned ‘leaven’ they thought of bread. It is true that leaven can mean bread but Jesus did not mean the literal bread. They failed to see the spiritual significance of his warning. However, Jesus was patient with his disciples: teaching, warning, doing miracles.

However, there is a great change in the disciples when we come to Mark 8:27-30. The same disciples who wondered ‘Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?’ (Mark 4:41) is able to confess that Jesus is the Messiah. Though their vision of Messiah was very different from that of Jesus’. Peter rebuked Jesus because he could not understand the concept of a suffering Messiah (Mark 8:31-33). His notion was a triumphant Messiah in line with the popular Jewish expectations of the day. Whether it is faulty or partial, the disciples represented by Peter has made considerable progress in their vision of Jesus. From a country carpenter, to a teacher-miracle worker to Messiah!

The acted parable of the double healing of the blind man is the transitional narrative. A parable that tells us the gradual growth in our faith, the faith of those who follow him out of their ‘villages.’ We follow him. However, we fail to receive the sight fully. However, the Lord helps us in our weaknesses. He touches again and again and again till we see people as people and trees as trees! He works with us patiently as the potter does.

That is why Paul calls Christian lives as ‘the handiwork of God’ (Eph 2:10). God works with us, in us until we are ready to be presented. Just as the potter takes the object he shaped from the clay out of the workshop to the sunlight to be dried and then to the showcase to be displayed. This is summarised beautifully by Paul. ‘... so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.’ (Ephesians 5:27, ESV).

Faith that Draws

The modern preachers (especially those ones on the TV) have popularized a particular version of ‘faith.’ According to them we need faith in order to God to do miracles. Some of them even tend to preach that the miracles are proportionate to the size of ones’ faith. This is often implied in expressions like ‘level of faith’ etc that we often hear on the TV.

In this popular conception ‘faith’ is portrayed as something that triggers God’s power. Unless we exercise our faith we cannot receive God’s power through miracles. Doesn’t this imply that the omnipotent God is helpless to do a miracle for us! Certain stories in the Bible are used to support these positions. Often quoted is the faith of the woman suffering with a flow of blood who received her healing by touching Jesus’ garments secretly (Mark 5:24-34). The faith of the centurion is also often cited (Matthew 8:5-13). He received a miracle because he ‘exercised’ his faith.

Often times preachers quote Jesus’ statement to the woman with a flow of blood, ‘your faith has healed you’ to say that it is our faith that works miracles! If faith that is situated in the receptor is the condition for the power of God to act for the benefit of someone then the miracles looks like an illusion. If faith is something that makes a person just believe that the miracle has happened then faith is similar to to the effect that placebo has on a patient.

These stories need to be re-examined. But before that we also need to look at other instances where Jesus did a miracle for those who did not have any faith or were unable to exercise their faith to trigger a miracle! What about Jesus stilling the storm in Lake Galilee? From the statement of Jesus, ‘Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” (Mark 4:40) it is reasonable to conclude that they did not expect a miracle from Jesus. Their surprise confirms the fact this fact (4:41). They never knew that Jesus had control over the storm, the sea and the waves until he stilled the sea! The disciples had cried out to Jesus who was sleeping at the helm of the boat: ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ This was not a request but a complaint. Actually, they were asking Jesus to help them bail out water as the waves were dashing against the boat. They never believed that Jesus had the power to still the storm. Still there was a miracle, in spite of their lack of faith.

When Jesus raised Lazarus who ever believed that was possible? Martha agreed saying that he will certainly raise up in the resurrection at the end times but not now (John 11:24). The disciples did not believe that it will be possible (John 11:12-16). They also pointed out that it has been four days now since he is buried. Martha even pointed out that, ‘Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days’ (John 11:39). This miracle happened in the context of utter lack of faith in Jesus.

Then there are a host of people who were not in a mental state to seek Jesus’ help or had nobody to seek God’s help for them. The demon-possessed resisted healing (Mark 5:7). The dead people whom Jesus raised couldn’t exercise their faith.

Jesus also helped people who had no knowledge of him or his healing powers. The man at the Bethseda pool didn’t know that Jesus can heal him. He believed that he can be healed by the pool and his complaint was that he had nobody to help him enter the pool at the right moment. His response to Jesus question ‘do you want to be healed’ was one of despondency (John 5:7). His faith was fixated on the healing power of the pool. However, he had come to accept the fact that there are logistic difficulties for his healing. He was losing his faith in the miraculous power of the pool and had no faith in the healing power of Jesus who was standing nearby. He probably didn’t know who Jesus was and what he is capable of. Still he was healed. Who exercised faith and whose faith healed him?

These observations lead us to certain inevitable conclusions. Our faith is not the basis for the miracles. God works miracles whether we have faith or not. God’s power is not triggered nor dependent on our faith. Simply put, God cannot be manipulated by our faith! God works as he wills, unconditionally.

A second observation is God does miracles with a purpose. The main purpose is that it will create and nurture faith in those who received and witness the miracles. In other words the purpose is that we may put our trust in him. Thus viewed faith is the product of miracles not vice versa. One of the essential components of the miracles stories in the Gospels is the faith that it generated in those who witnessed them.As it generated faith in God it also made the witnesses and those who received the miracle to glorify God. This is very well summarized in Matthew 15:29 as: 'And great multitudes came unto him, having with them some lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them; insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see. And they glorified the God of Israel.'

If then what is the role of faith in Christian experiences of God’s power? Faith is that connects a person with God. First of all, it is something that draws a person to God. The woman with a issue of blood came closer to Jesus enough to touch him because he had ‘reports of him.’ She believed that Jesus could heal her if she just touched the edge of his garments. Faith drew her to Jesus. The centurions faith was much stronger. He knew that a word from Jesus was enough to heal his servants. There are a number of people who don’t draw to him and they miss a miracle. They don’t draw to him but their doubts and questions deprive him an opportunity to do miracles for them. This is what happened when Jesus visited his own home town. The Bible says, he ‘couldn’t do’ any miracles in that place because of their unbelief. Since people knew him as a carpenter and as the son of an ordinary woman like Mary they did not bring their sick and demon-possessed to him. Thus they denied him an opportunity to help them. That is why ‘he could not do’ any mighty works there. Faith that draws us to God is essential.

 The second aspect of faith is that it is a response to God’s power displayed through miracles. In another sense it draws us closer to God. Moses had no knowledge of faith in Yahweh when he saw the burning bush. But he drew close to the bush (in fact to the presence of God) to see what is going on—why the bush burns but is not consumed (Exod 3:1-7). God does what he want to do irrespective of or unbelief. But he expects us to respond to him in faith. The people who were healed by Jesus went around sharing the goodnews about Jesus. The people who witnessed miracles put their trust in Him. They became of people of faith because they experienced the power of God in their life. It is not faith triggering God’s power but God’s power triggering our faith. And faith thus triggered grows on its own even when there are no miracles.

Singing under the Wings

As a little boy I have seen mother hens protecting their little chicks. The chicks are small balls of flesh and feather that so tender that looks like fur on them. They will be around the mother exploring their world and gobbling worms mother has found for them and chirping happily. It is a noisy scene. As soon as the mother hen detects the presence of a predator bird it makes a particular sound. It is a warning and the little chicks run to find shelter under the wings of their mother. The mother sits firmly on the ground protecting her little chicks who has sought shelter inside her wings. There is absolute silence; not a single chick dares to make a sound. Singing under the wings is dangerous! Moreover, it takes a lot of courage to do that when the predator bird is still hovering over.

One of the powerful imageries of the Bible is that of God as the mother hen who protects his children under his wings in times of trouble. Boaz uses this imagery when he talks about Ruth joining the people of Israel. He said, "Yahweh recompense your work, and a full reward be given you of Yahweh, the God of Israel, under whose wings you are come to take refuge" (Ruth 2:12). Psalmists used this imagery when they prayed to God for protection: "Keep me as the apple of your eye; Hide me under the shadow of your wings..." (Psalms 17:8; See also Psalm 36:7; Psalm 57:1; Psalm 61:4).

However, the Psalmist in 63:7 is different. He says, "Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings" (Psalms 63:7). (Some translations may have "rejoice" but the word here means "singing for joy".) He is rather a very bold chick. He sings while hiding himself under the wings of God, his mother and protector. Any chick should know that singing while under the wings is dangerous. Silence is number one safety rule.

The psalmist stretches the imagery a little beyond the real situation to make a statement of faith. The chicks find shelter under the wings of the mother out of fear. They remain under the wings of the mother out of fear. However, they are safe, there is nothing to fear. They are silent out of fear though no predator can snatch them out of the security of the mother's wings. Then why not sing? It requires some trust in their mother's power to protect them. That is what exactly the psalmist feels knowing God as his "helper".

A joyful Christian life proceeds from a trust in God's power to protect us. Disciples of Christ can be joyful at all times, even at the most dangerous moments of life if they know under whose wings they have found shelter.

Perching on Scarecrows

Faith loves to perch on scarecrows. Scarecrows are placed in farms to scare the birds away. Birds avoid the farms where they find a scarecrow, even though the scarecrows only have a very remote resemblance to human beings and are unable to do any harm. The wise birds are wise enough to know that they are just hay for the body, a broken pot for the head and stay where the farmer placed them. They also know that wherever there is a scarecrow there is something to be eaten; nobody places a scarecrow where nothing is grown. Instead of being scared away they love to land on the scarecrows and enjoy the feast. That's the difference between faith and fear.

The psalmist declares that when she is afraid she will trust in God (Psalm 56:3-4). "When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. In God, I praise his word. In God, I put my trust." However, this faith makes her to challenge the frightening situations, "What can mortals do to me?" (Psalm 56:11 and also Psalm 56:4). Faith in God and fear of human beings are mutually exclusive. Faith does not run away, but would stay and challenge the situation.

Nehemiah had to face difficult situations that his adversaries created to stop the work he was doing. Nothing would deter him from his work. In Nehemiah 6:9-14 we read of an attempt to frighten Nehemiah the man of faith. However, Nehemiah discerned that these are only scarecrows! It was an attempt to humiliate the man of God. He was advised to flee for his life and find shelter in the temple. He refused to act according to their advice. He said, "Should such a man as I flee? and who is there that, being such as I, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in" (Nehemiah 6:11). Nehemiah landed on the scarecrow instead of flying away at the sight of it.

Landing on scarecrows is not that easy. First of all one has to be able to tell a scarecrow from a real human, armed watchman! Otherwise landing could be fatal. It requires discernment that comes from faith in God. Nehemiah's courage did not come from his guts but from his faith in God. "I discerned, and, behold, God had not sent him; but he pronounced this prophecy against me: and Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him" (Nehemiah 6:11). This is true in the case of the Psalmist also who said, " When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. In God, I praise his word. In God, I put my trust" (Psalm 56:3-4).

Frightening situations in various forms prop up in every day life. It could range from discouraging words and intimidation to serious threats. However, no threat can last longer than the one who threatens. Faith looks at them as coming from "mere mortals" and trusts in God who is "immortal". Courage to face frightening situations comes from faith in God whom we should take more seriously than those who create trouble for us. They are only scarecrows; land on them, there must be something around them that you may enjoy.