Desperate Faith

There are times that there is nothing we can do to save ourselves.

These are times that we quickly discover our weaknesses.  In these times, we are staring into a deep abyss of black nothingness looking for a faint shimmer of  hope.  This hope has been buried  somewhere in the dark.

When we have a loved one that we can’t help in their infirmity.  When we have financial difficulty that is beyond comprehension.  When we have a failing marriage where our spouse is determined to leave.  When we are faced with certain, imminent death.

At these times we may cry.  We may scream.  We may  slump down to our knees in despair and end up in the fetal position wishing that we had never been born like Job (Job 3:1-3).

These are the times, that we absolutely know beyond any doubt that we cannot save ourselves.  Our wits, money, relationships, and even our integrity cannot help us.  These are the times that we must dig even deeper than we ever have before.  We must dig much deeper.

These are the times where life has literally knocked us to our knees.  When life has knocked us to our knees we are in perfect position for prayer.

When we get desperate enough we will seek the Lord with our whole heart (Deuteronomy 4:29 ; Joel 2:12).

Consider the girl with the issue of blood (Mark 5:24-34).  Doctors couldn't save her.  All  the money she had could not save her.  All of her carnal reasoning had failed her.  Somehow she remembered a scripture about the Son of Righteousness will arise with healing in His wings (Malachi 4:2).  She fought through her pride.  She fought through her fear of being found out.  She seized the kingdom of heaven violently.  Her desperation catapulted her to action. Her desperation was the key that activated her faith.

This action would not be taken if she had not been desperate.

This makes me wonder if a complacent Christian is a Christian at all (Revelation 3:16).  If we are too lazy (Matthew 25:26), apathetic, or unbelieving (Revelation 21:8) to seek God, then where does that put us according to His standards?

She was desperate enough to believe the Word of God and seek the Son of Righteousness.  She put to rest all the things that had worked for her in the past and decided to give God a try.

I am glad her testimony is in the bible.  Because if she could do it, then maybe you and I could as well.

 Her example is laid out before us to consider and follow.

When tribulations come our way, consider the  many times in the bible where people had problems and then they began to pray. It is as if God was waiting for them to finally pick up the phone and call.  It is funny how we label ourselves Christians but only get serious about seeking God when our lives are in jeopardy.

God is a person seeking a relationship with us. We don’t have to wait to be desperate to say "hello".  Let’s agree to seek God more together.  Let's activate our faith before life knocks us to our knees.

James 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.