PRE-382-381. The Unreasonableness of Faith

381. The Unreasonableness of Faith

The Unreasonableness of Faith

by David Wilkerson

June 9, 2003

[May 19, 1931 '96 April 27, 2011]

When God says to humankind, '93Believe,'94 he demands something that'92s wholly beyond reason. Faith is totally illogical. Its very definition has to do with something unreasonable. Think about it: Hebrews says faith is the substance of something hoped for, evidence that'92s unseen. We'92re being told, in short, '93There is no tangible substance. There isn'92t any evidence at all.'94 Yet we'92re asked to believe. Can you think of any demand that'92s more unreasonable than this one? It says, simply, '93Accept this without evidence. Trust the unseen.'94 It'92s totally beyond logic.

I'92m addressing this subject for an important reason. Right now, all over the world, multitudes of believers are bowed low in discouragement. God'92s people are going through trials, struggles, sufferings, confusion of all kinds. The fact is, we'92re all going to continue facing discouragement in this life. Yet I believe if we can understand the nature of faith '97 its illogical, unreasonable nature '97 we'92ll find the help we need to get through.

Consider the faith that was demanded of Noah. He lived in a generation that had spun out of control. We can'92t begin to fathom the evil times this man lived in: violence and murder were rampant. Giants gave birth to '93mighty men.'94 Unspeakable wickedness had spread wantonly. The condition of humans had grown so awful, God couldn'92t take any more. Finally, he said, '93Enough! Man is set on destroying himself. It must end.'94

He told Noah, '93I'92m going to destroy all flesh. But I'92ll preserve you and your family. So, I want you to build an ark, Noah. And I want you to gather into it all the animal species, in twos. While you'92re doing this, I'92ll give the inhabitants of the earth 120 years of mercy. Then I'92m going to send a rain that won'92t stop for 40 days and nights. There will be a great flood, and it will wipe out every living thing.'94 God then proceeded to give Noah the dimensions of the ark '97 its length, width and depth '97 in great detail.

Imagine Noah'92s bafflement as he tried to grasp this. God was going to send a cataclysmic event, one that would destroy the entire earth. Yet all that Noah was told about the matter were these brief words from heaven. He was simply to accept it by faith, without receiving any more direction for 120 years.

Think about what faith was demanding of Noah. He was given a mammoth task to build a huge ark. And meanwhile, he had to live in a violent, dangerous world. He was surrounded by giants, murderers, skeptics, all who watched his every step. I'92m sure they mocked Noah as he tediously worked on the ark through the years. And, being hardened in violence, they probably threatened to kill him. Yet faith demanded that Noah keep his heart '93moved with fear'94 (see Heb_11:7). He had to keep believing, while the whole world around him danced, partied and wallowed in sensuality.

In essence, God had told this man, '93You are to believe my word, Noah. I'92m asking you to obey me, with no excuses. If you ever start to doubt, or feel like giving up, you have to trust what I'92ve told you. I'92m not giving you any other evidence, just my promise. You are to act on that alone.'94

What a totally illogical picture. Surely at times, Noah was thwarted, both outwardly and inwardly. How many days did he spend discouraged? How often did he wonder, '93This is so foolish. How can I know that was God'92s voice?'94 But Noah did as God said. He kept trusting the word he'92d been given, for more than a century. And for his obedience, Scripture says, Noah '93became heir of the righteousness which is by faith'94 (see Heb_11:7).

Consider Abraham. God told this man, '93Get up, go out, and leave your country.'94 Surely Abraham wondered, '93But where, Lord?'94 God would have answered simply, '93I'92m not telling you. Just go.'94

This wasn'92t logical. It was a totally unreasonable demand to any thinking person. I'92ll illustrate by asking every Christian wife: what if your husband came home one day and said, '93Pack up, honey, we'92re moving.'94 Of course, you'92d want to know why, or where, or how. But the only answer he gives you is, '93I don'92t know. I just know God said so.'94 There'92s no rhyme or reason to this kind of demand. It simply isn'92t logical.

Yet this is precisely the illogical direction that Abraham followed. '93By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went'94 (Heb_11:8). Abraham packed up his family and set out, not knowing where he would end up. All he knew was the brief word God had given him: '93Go, Abraham, and I'92ll be with you. No harm will come to you.'94 Faith demanded that Abraham act on nothing more than this promise.

One starry night, God told Abraham, '93Look up into the sky. See the innumerable stars? Count them if you can. That'92s how many descendants you'92re going to have'94 (see Gen_15:5). Abraham must have shaken his head at this. He was old by now, as was his wife, Sarah. They were long past the time of ever possibly having a child. Yet here he'92s given a promise that he would become a father of many nations. And all the evidence he had to go on was a word from heaven: '93I am the Lord'94 (15:7).

But Abraham obeyed. And the Bible says the same thing of him that it says of Noah: '93He believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness'94 (15:6). Once again, we see an illogical scene. Yet one man'92s faith is translated into righteousness.

Consider the children of Israel. Think about the trying conditions God led them into. He delivered them from Pharaoh'92s grip in Egypt, only to be hemmed in at the Red Sea. The Israelites were surrounded by mountains on either side, and Pharaoh'92s army was quickly descending on them from behind. It was a hopeless situation, with no human way out. Their hearts must have pounded as they heard the rumble of Pharaoh'92s chariots and saw the dust rising from his horses.

Even though I know the outcome of this scene, my flesh wants to argue with God: '93It doesn'92t seem fair, Lord. What a traumatic situation for these families and their children. They'92re stuck there, with no rafts or boats, wondering what they'92re going to do. Lord, in one night you slew all of Egypt'92s firstborn. Why didn'92t you slay all these soldiers in the desert? What'92s the difference if you drown them or kill them in the desert? It'92s unreasonable, with all these children crying, all the men and women quaking in fear. They'92ve obeyed you, yet you'92ve allowed this to come upon them. Why put them through it?'94

The fact is inescapable: God led them into this situation. And the whole scene is totally illogical, absolutely unreasonable. God simply expected them to believe the word he'92d already give them: '93I'92m going to take you in my arms and carry you through the wilderness. No enemy will prosper against you, because I will be with you. You'92re simply to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.'94

I ask you: how many of us today would have stood there fearful and crying, as these Israelites did? If we'92re honest, we know that'92s just how we react now, in most of our crises. Isn'92t the condition of our hearts similar to theirs?

Simply put, faith is very demanding. It demands that once we hear God'92s Word, we'92re to obey it, with no other evidence to direct us. It doesn'92t matter how big our obstacles may be, how impossible our circumstances. We'92re to believe his Word and act on it, with no other proof to go on. God says, '93My promise is all you need.'94

I believe nothing has changed since these patriarchs lived.

Like every generation before us, we also wonder, '93Lord, why am I faced with this test? It'92s beyond my comprehension. You'92ve allowed so many things in my life that don'92t make sense. Why is there no explanation for what I'92m going through? Why is my soul so troubled, so filled with great trials?'94

Hear me again: the demands of faith are totally unreasonable to humankind. So, how does the Lord answer our cries? He sends his Word, reminding us of his promises. And he says, '93Simply obey me. Trust my Word to you.'94 He accepts no excuse, no disobedience, no matter how impossible our circumstances may seem.

Please don'92t misunderstand me. Our God is a loving Father. And he doesn'92t allow his people to suffer indiscriminately, for no reason. We know he has at his disposal all the power and willingness to make every problem and heartbreak go away. He can merely speak a word, and rid us of every trial and struggle.

Yet, the fact is, God isn'92t going to show us how or when he'92ll fulfill his promises to us. Why? He doesn'92t owe us any explanation, when he has already given us the answer. He'92s given us everything we need for life and godliness in his Son, Jesus Christ. He is all we need for every situation life throws at us. And God is going to stand on the Word he has already revealed: '93You have my Word within your reach. My promises are yea and amen to all who believe. So, rest on my Word. Believe it and obey it.'94

The Bible tells us Israel '93provoked'94 God ten times in the wilderness. What were these provocations? They were ten situations when the Israelites faced great tests. Time after time, these people were placed in circumstances that seemed impossible. Perhaps you'92ve wondered at times, as I have, '93Lord, why all those tests?'94

In each instance, God was looking to raise up in his people a glimmer of faith. He was searching for just a small measure that he could build on. You see, he wanted to give the world a testimony of his faithfulness to his people. And Israel was to be that testimony. God was saying, in essence, '93When I take my people into hard places, I expect them to act on my promises to them. My Word is life to all who believe. And I want that message preached and demonstrated to a lost and dying world.'94

That Word had already been made available to Israel. God had told them, '93I'92m going to bring you out of affliction, into a land flowing with milk and honey. No one will be able to stand against you. I AM will be with you. And not a promise of mine will fail." The same is true for God'92s people today. As long as the earth exists, his promises remain the same: '93I will bring you out of your affliction. Trust the great I AM.'94

This is why the God of utmost patience has no patience with unbelief in his children. Hebrews says, '93Some, when they had heard, did provoke'94 (Heb_3:16). What did they hear? They had heard God'92s Word: promises of protection, guidance and goodness. But instead of trusting in that word, they focused on their hopeless situations. And they allowed unbelief to take hold in their hearts. God responded by saying, '93I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest'94 (Heb_3:11).

These people wanted something reasonable. They wanted to stand on something they could see, feel and touch. They wanted God to spell out for them the path that lay ahead for them. But that isn'92t faith. Faith means saying, '93God has given me a promise. And I'92m going to live and die by that promise. I don'92t care what it takes for me to lay hold of it. I'92m staking everything, my whole life, on his Word to me.'94

Hebrews asks, '93With whom was he grieved forty years? Was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief'94 (Heb_3:17-19).The fact is, every one of Israel'92s trials passed. And God faithfully delivered them from each one. Yet those same Israelites who experienced God'92s goodness ended up dead in the wilderness. Why? Each time a trial came up, they grumbled and became hard, refusing to believe.

What about you? Are you in a frightening place right now, as Israel was? Do you feel hopeless, empty, stripped to nothing? To everyone who'92s facing a severe struggle, I say, your trial will also pass. So, what does God expect of you now, in the midst of it?

Perhaps you'92re grieving, anguishing over a struggle that doesn'92t seem to end. You'92re bowed low, more discouraged than you'92ve ever been. Your friends may tell you, '93Don'92t cry and mourn. That'92s not showing faith.'94 But that'92s not so. The truth is, if you have faith, you'92re able to cry. You can'92t avoid your pain. In fact, there'92s healing power in your tears. Your mourning has nothing to do with whether you trust in God'92s Word.

At times, you may wonder, '93Lord, what did I do wrong? What sin did I commit? Is this your judgment on me?'94 You may even feel like confronting him, crying, '93Why did you let this happen? What did I do to make you allow it?'94 I tell you, God gives you time for those questions. He allows your flesh to have its tantrums.

Then, finally, the Lord comes to you and says, '93You'92ve had a right to all those feelings. But you have no reason to accuse me or doubt me. I'92ve given you a promise. Indeed, I'92ve given you everything you need. And you are to lay hold of that promise now. If you do, my Word will become life to you. It will bring healing to you that'92s greater than any medicine, more powerful than any river of tears.'94

Throughout the Bible, we find godly men and women who went through deep tremblings of soul and spirit.

Over and over, the Psalmist asks, '93Why is my soul cast down? I feel useless, forsaken. There'92s such a restlessness inside me. Why, Lord? Why do I feel so helpless in my affliction?'94 These questions speak for multitudes who have loved and served God.

Take godly Elijah, for example. We see him under a juniper tree, begging God to kill him. He'92s so downcast, he'92s to the point of giving up his own life. We also find righteous Jeremiah cast down in despair. The prophet cries, '93Lord, you'92ve deceived me. You told me to prophesy all these things, but none of them has come to pass. I'92ve done nothing but seek you all my life. And this is how I'92m repaid? Now I'92ll no longer mention your name.'94

Each of these servants had a temporary attack of unbelief. But the Lord understood their condition in times of confusion and doubt. And after a period, he always pointed them to the way out. In the midst of their afflictions, the Holy Spirit turned on the light for them. And Scripture records their experiences as examples for us.

Consider Jeremiah'92s testimony of how he came out of his pit: '93Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart'94 (Jer_15:16). David also testified, '93I remembered your Word.'94 And Elijah said, '93Thy word came unto me.'94 At some point, each of these servants remembered God'92s Word. And it became the joy and rejoicing of their lives, pulling them out of the pit.

The truth is, the whole time these people were struggling, the Lord was sitting by, waiting. He heard their cries, their pain, their anguish. And after a certain time had passed, he told them, '93You'92ve cried it out now. You'92ve had your time of grief and doubt. Now I want you to trust me. Will you go back to my Word? Will you lay hold of my promise to you? If you do, my Word will see you through.'94

It doesn'92t matter how we came into our hopeless situation. Sometimes it'92s the Lord'92s doing, bringing us to our wit'92s end. Sometimes it'92s the enemy attacking us, as he did with Job. Sometimes it'92s our flesh, whether through temptation, or through a mental or physical trial. The fact is, it doesn'92t matter how we got there. All that matters is how we get out of it. And there'92s no other way out than by God'92s Word.

The Holy Spirit is faithful to speak to us. He lets us know when it'92s time to lay aside all our doubts and questions. If we don'92t '97 if we refuse to go back to trusting God'92s Word, allowing his promises to become once more the joy of our lives '97 unbelief will set in. And it will harden like concrete. At that point, we'92ll fall into a pit we can never get out of. Our every thought toward God will be hard and accusing, instead of trusting. And his wrath is against all who forsake their confidence in his Word.

In the New Testament, we find what must be the most unreasonable demand of faith God ever made on humankind.

For centuries, the Jews had looked for the Messiah to come. They believed Israel'92s Savior would be a king, coming in majesty and power to set up rule in Jerusalem. He would be a mighty deliverer, commanding an invincible army. And he would break the yoke that Rome had placed on Israel'92s neck. Then he would overthrow every other power on the face of the earth.

Can you imagine the great anticipation that every Jew had for this Savior'92s coming? He was going to wipe out all sickness, take away all pain, free the poor from poverty, and give the people all that their hearts desired. He would make Israel a great people and a prosperous nation. And he would do it all with an incredible show of might.

So, is this how the Messiah arrived? No, we know it isn'92t. He was born in a stable, of all places. And the story of his birth is the most illogical, unreasonable aspect of all. This Messiah had no earthly father; he was conceived immaculately by the Holy Spirit, and carried in the womb of a virgin. His arrival wasn'92t announced by mighty trumpets, but by an old priest and an elderly prophetess. They declared simply, '93Here is the expected one of Israel. Believe on him, for he is God.'94

Who were they speaking of, exactly? A lowly Nazarene, a carpenter. When Jesus came on the scene, people said, '93Wait a minute. We know this fellow'92s parents.'94 Someone might even have said, '93Joseph brought him into our home once, to help fix our table.'94 How could anyone be expected to believe such a man was the Messiah? It was totally unreasonable.

Jesus didn'92t announce his Lordship with a mighty army. He showed up with just twelve uneducated, working-class disciples. They weren'92t schooled in great theology. They were fishermen, day laborers, tradesmen. And Jesus was no different. So, how could anyone accept that he was an authority on God'92s Word? Everybody knew that Israel'92s true leaders sat at the feet of Gamaliel, learning from the foremost scholar of the day. Meanwhile, this carpenter'92s son taught in the deserts and along the seashores. His audiences were made up of widows, lepers, prostitutes. And he was telling them all, '93I'92m God in flesh. Believe in me.'94

Imagine the reaction that any religious leader must have had: '93This man stands in the synagogues, declaring he'92s the Messiah. He says he was sent from God. But he'92s got no royal birth or lineage. He doesn'92t even have a place to lay his head. He rushes into the temple and drives out all our salespeople. And he calls the temple '91my Father'92s house.'92 But he doesn'92t explain where he got such authority. In fact, he claims he'92s the temple of God. He says he existed before Abraham.

'93He says he'92s living water, bread from heaven, both man and God. Then he uses bizarre language, telling us to eat his body and drink his blood. He says if we'92ve seen him, we'92ve seen the Father. But if we don'92t believe in him, then we don'92t believe in God. Yet, what'92s his authority for all these claims? It'92s just his word. He just comes along and says, '91Trust me.'92'94

Think about what these leaders heard Jesus say: '93He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life'94 (Joh_5:24). They protested, telling Christ, '93Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true'94 (8:13). Jesus answered with them yet another unreasonable explanation: '93It is'85written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me'94 (5:17-18).

Finally, Jesus puts the whole matter into perspective. He tells them, '93Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word'94 (8:43). He was saying, '93You can'92t comprehend me because you don'92t hear my Word.'94 The same is true for every believer today. It all boils down to one issue: trusting in God'92s Word. His Word alone is our life and hope.

To this day, God is impatient with his people'92s unbelief.

We'92re living in a time of the greatest gospel revelation in history. There are more preachers, more books, more gospel-media saturation than ever. Yet there has never been more distress, affliction and troubled minds among God'92s people. Pastors today design their sermons just to pick people up and help them deal with despair. They preach on God'92s love and patience. They remind us that he understands our times of discouragement. We'92re told, '93Hold on, be encouraged. Even Jesus felt forsaken by his Father.'94

There'92s nothing wrong with this. I preach these truths myself. Yet I believe there'92s still just one reason why we see so little victory and deliverance: it is unbelief. The fact is, God has spoken with great clarity in these last days. And this is what he has said: '93I'92ve already given you a Word. It is finished and complete. Now, stand on it.'94

Let no one tell you we'92re experiencing a famine of God'92s Word. The truth is, we'92re experiencing a famine of hearing God'92s Word, and of obeying it. Why? Faith is so unreasonable. Yet faith never comes to us by logic or reason. Paul states plainly, '93Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God'94 (Rom_10:17). This is the only way true faith will ever rise up in any believer'92s heart. It comes by hearing '97 that is, believing, trusting and acting on '97 God'92s Word.

I want to close with an imaginary conversation between the Lord and a discouraged Christian:

Christian: '93Lord, I'92m down and discouraged. You promised you wouldn'92t allow me to carry any burden that'92s too heavy, without making a way of escape. But right now I'92m overwhelmed. If only you would tell me what this is all about.'94

The Lord: '93I give you my Word." "For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee'85surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye'94 (Psa_32:6-8).

Christian: '93Lord, I feel so helpless. My strength is nearly gone. Fear and doubts plague my mind. I can'92t see any way out. The future looks so hopeless.'94

The Lord: '93I give you my Word." "The eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield'94 (Psa_33:18-20).

Christian: '93Lord, sometimes I feel I must have offended you. Is this trial a judgment of some kind? Will it ever end?'94

The Lord: '93I give you my Word." "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him'85.

'93The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry'85. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles'85. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all'85. The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate'94 (Psa_34:6-8; Psa_34:15; Psa_34:17; Psa_34:19; Psa_34:22).

In just three Psalms, we are given enough of God'92s Word to drive out all unbelief. I urge you now: hear it, trust it, obey it. And finally, rest in it. This will be our testimony of our faithful God, through every trial and affliction.

By: David Wilkerson