Statement of Faith

 29 Aug 25

Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Life Application Study Bible Devotion

Statement of faith

The disciples scattered after Jesus was arrested. Jesus accepted their statement of faith even though he knew their weakness. He knew they would have to grow into people whose words and lives matched even to the point of death. He takes us through the same process. How well are you living out what you say you believe about Jesus?

““A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.”John‬ ‭16‬:‭32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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Reflections 

The challenge with humans I think it’s usually about our doubts and our unbelief. We don’t see and cannot understand and so makes it hard for us to say yes to something that seems so intangible, something that kind of seemed impossible even. Reminds me of the doubtful Thomas who said that he will only believe when he sees the hands of Jesus and the hole at His side even though his other brothers were all telling him that Jesus has returned.

I think that is pretty common with us. That perhaps so many people has already been telling us about certain things that may likely come from God. He can definitely use Godly counsels, yes? But in the end, we still tell God that we only want to hear from Him to confirm everything. I think there’s a fine line between trying to discern and ask God or refusing to hear anything from human and just want to hear from God, which maybe in the end we still won’t be satisfied because we doubt again on what God is saying and went talking to people. 

God speaks to us differently and through different sources or means. It can be visual cues, auditory voices, your friends or even random people coming to tell you or affirm you certain things which you told nothing about, the scripture, even through the Holy Spirit. 

A brand new Christian may not know a lot of scriptures so the way God speaks to them may be vastly different from a mature Christian. There may be more of other sources that are in the environment such as things or people. 

All in all, throughout this whole process, God brings us on a journey of trust. One that fully relies on Him, even without knowing what’s ahead. The trust comes from knowing who leads us, and how much we can trust Him. 

If you are a soldier and your commander is Jesus and He tells you to stop, will you stop and wait? If He asks you to run full speed ahead and don’t stop even though there are enemies ahead, would you do the same too and just run, trusting that He will cover you and protect from all harm? Will you forsake everything for the heavenly kingdom as a soldier for God and defend it with your life like how you may be asked to defend your own nation or would you run? Would you be the proud soldier that tells everyone Jesus is your commander, one that you are loyal and faithful to?

Along the path, we have to learn to keep fit, climb walls, dig ditches, learn about weaponry, self defence, keep going for training and refresher courses, etc. These are all in prep for what is to come and what we may experience in life. Getting prepared and ready is the way to go. If we don’t train we can never fight and will not be even able to protect ourselves. This is His kind of training that helps us to stay on course. You may think this is so regimental and if it is even necessary. Think of all the reservist soldiers that continue to their services till they reach a certain age. We never know what would come but better to be prepared than not when things really happen and all start to scramble. No we cannot afford that kind of slack. 

If we trust the Commander enough, be it if we see Him or not, be it if He sees us or not, we will still continue to do what He told us to do. To love and to serve.