Faith and Commitment (Tuesday, Week 13, Year II)

In Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12, the prophet Amos asked a series of questions to provoke faith in those he was prophesying to (that is, the people of Israel) because there seemed to be no reciprocity in their relationship with God. It appears the people of Israel did not practically live out their own terms of agreement in their covenant with God. And so, Amos the prophet asked very piercing questions in order to bring them to faith, to a certain knowledge or reminder of their relationship with God and their commitment to Him. 

This portion of the prophecy of Amos also serves as a reminder to us that our relationship with God should not be a parasitic kind of relationship: it must be reciprocal. It is a covenant which requires a commitment from us. And we can better appreciate this when we come to know through faith that we have made some commitment which we must keep, that we too have some roles to play in our relationship with God.

In the event of the calming of the storms, Jesus also provoked faith in the disciples when he rebuked them for their little faith. Yes, they had Jesus in the boat but they needed to KNOW through FAITH that WHEREVER JESUS IS, THE STORMS OF LIFE BECOME A CALM; THAT IN HIS PRESENCE THE MOST TERRIBLE OF TEMPESTS TURNS TO PEACE. 

Faith is knowledge: knowledge of God’s active presence in us and around us AND knowledge of our commitment to Him.If a snake does not know what it is, children will use it as a mere rope. If we don’t know who we are and what we have become in Christ, the storms of life will blow us away as chaff in the air. We are like a tree planted in the desert; if we are not rooted in Christ the everlasting rock, the tempestuous wind of trials will continue to bash and blow us away. 
FAITH IS KNOWLEDGE AND POWER!
   
   

Comments

  1. WHEREVER JESUS IS, THE STORMS OF LIFE BECOME A CALM; THAT IN HIS PRESENCE THE MOST TERRIBLE OF TEMPESTS TURNS TO PEACE. Amen

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