'Go ahead... Trust me'

By Pastor Henry Favorite,

First Missionary Church

The theme is recurring throughout scripture. Time and again we find God saying to His chosen servants "Go ahead, trust me!" We read in Proverbs 17:20 "Happy is the one who trusts in the Lord."

We also see in the "Hall of Faith" chapter in Hebrews that many of the Old Testament saints stepped out in faith without being disappointed by God. But our human nature makes it easier said than done.

It's like standing at the beginning of a water slide and hearing the operator say "go ahead, no one have ever been hurt." You know for a fact that you will become the first person to fly over the edge.

Your heart is racing, the adrenaline is pumping and your stomach has more butterflies than an insect collector's convention. Yet you gingerly sit down and begin the ride of your life.

Then guess what happens? As soon as the ride is over you discover that you are hooked. You eagerly trudge back up the hill and do it over again. Each ride produces a fresh excitement. Each trip down becomes a challenge as you attempt to gain a little more speed or ride a little higher on the chute. Why, it even become fun!

Just like our Christian life. The Apostle Paul knew this. In Acts 20:22 we find him saying "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there."

He had been warned of the hardships that lay ahead, yet he was able to say in verse 24 that his only desire was to be obedient to God. He was willing to trust God, recognizing that the challenges.

Whether it be the economy, global warming, crime rates or mortgage rates, there are many indicators that our American way of life is in for a rough ride.

The Bible gives us a hope that has been consistent throughout the ages. In Psalm 46 we find King David making a statement that has not lost its impact upon us. "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.....The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."

When God says "go ahead, you can do it, trust me" we can rest assured that He will be faithful to His Word. The solution to something being "easier said than done" is to do it in God's strength. Try it, you might even like it!

The First Missionary Church is located at South Main and Meadow Lane. Sunday Morning Worship and Junior Church are at 10:30 a.m.