When we can’t see God…when our systems of ‘knowing Him’ get shaken…when we feel lost in darkness — we light fires.
God has been speaking to me through Isaiah 50:10-11; that it’s not so much “faith over fear” as it is “faith over firebrands.”
Isaiah 50:10-11
Who is among you that fears the Lord,
That obeys the voice of His servant,
That walks in darkness and has no light?
Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.
11
Behold, all you who kindle a fire,
Who encircle yourselves with firebrands,
Walk in the light of your fire
And among the brands you have set ablaze.
This you will have from My hand:
You will lie down in torment.
We want to see. We want to know where to go. Give us a 3 point sermon and some action steps, God! And when we don’t feel like we can see... in our desperation we build fires. We light fires of all kinds to give ourselves a sense of direction and control.
We turn firebrands into idols hoping they will give us guidance on how to live. All of the hot button issues of today can become firebrands if we find that they’re informing and defining our faith journey with God. None of these things (masks, politics and even racial justice) lead to salvation, joy or fulfillment. Are we responsible to take action // have Godly stances on them? Yes. Are they capable of guiding us like Christ? No.
Trusting in God despite the darkness is faith. It’s uncomfortable. We don’t have all the answers. That’s why it’s faith.
So the question to myself on the daily is now, “Jerod, are you lighting a fire or are you trusting in God?” My desire is for my action to be informed by my faith, not by my firebrand.
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