The Future Element in our Faith
Exodus 3:11-12; 19:3-6
And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you; When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”
Exodus 3:12
A number of years ago I began to sense something in the Old Testament that I think may be clearer there than it is in the New, where it is only assumed. Biblical faith contains not just intellectual, historical, and subjective elements, but also a future element, and if that future outlook is lost from our faith, we will falter.
Remember the story of Moses when he stood by the burning bush and God said, “I am going to send you to deliver my people.”
Moses looked up and said, “God, would you just give me a sign? I want to believe you, but I need a sign.”
God said, “All right, I will give you a sign. When you get the people out of Egypt, all Israel will worship me on this mountain, right at the place you are standing.”
My heart responds like I think Moses’ did: “Lord, that is not the kind of sign I am asking for. I want a sign before you send me to deliver the people.”
God replied, “No, I will give you a sign after I have delivered them so you know it has happened. At this moment, you must trust me that it will take place.”
Moses went forward with that future element in his faith.
Is there a future element in your faith? Do you believe Christ is going to give you victory in your situation? Do you believe the people to whom he has called you are going to be delivered by his marvelous power? Are you trusting that he is going to demonstrate his hand and move redemptively in your situation?
Moses may have been going in fear and trembling, but he believed God enough to obey. And do you know what? God kept his promise.
This is an excerpt from a book This Day with the Master by Dennis F. Kinlaw. If you would like to buy this book please click here.