Faith or Facts

Faith or Facts?
But when it was all done, David was overwhelmed with guilt because he had counted the people, replacing trust with statistics. And David prayed to GOD, "I have sinned badly in what I have just done. But now GOD forgive my guilt—I've been really stupid."
II Samuel 24:10

Up in Hamilton, Ontario, the workmen were trimming some trees. On a low hanging limb which was to be cut off, they found a bird's nest with young birds in it. The workmen were troubled. Some of them insisted that the limb must come down, while others pleaded that it be left until their next trip when the birds probably would be gone. After some discussion, the limb was left. Some months later when the tree trimmers came again and cut off the limb, and the nest was torn up, they noticed a little piece of paper, which had been woven into the nest. They examined it and found it had been taken from a Sunday school paper. On it were these words, "We trust in the Lord!" These workmen didn’t want to cut down a limb for fear that it would destroy the birds, however, the Bible is clear that even the birds do not fret over where their next meal is coming from or where they will rest. Although we know that these birds didn’t intentionally take this paper with these words on it, it is an incredible reminder of how we should trust in the Lord.

In II Samuel chapter 24, David is tested in the area of his faith. It appears to be a harmless decision at first as David orders his men to go and take a head count throughout the country. He wanted to know just what he was working with. How much power did he have at his disposal? But, we notice in verse 10 just how fatal a decision this was when David says, “I have sinned badly in what I have just done. God, please forgive me for I have been really stupid”. The Bible says in this verse that David replaced trust in God for statistics. God makes it clear to us in this chapter that this is not only a stupid thing to do, but it is sin and it is costly. The consequences for David were that 70,000 people died throughout Israel. God was merciful and showed compassion, but there was a definite price to be paid for David’s lack of faith.

What is it in your life today? Are you looking at the statistics or facts of your finances, your future, or your health instead of trusting in the Lord? Maybe you are like me and waiting through the process of adoption. How easy it is to substitute our faith for the facts that are laid out before us. God wants us to be knowledgeable; however, He does not want our faith to be in our own understanding (Prov. 3:5). We are called to trust in that which we cannot see (Heb. 11:1). I want to build my life and my home on the foundation of faith in Christ. It is my prayer that when my life is over and I am on the other side of eternity and people sift through the remnants I am leaving behind, that they, too, will find my life clearly marked by those words, “We trust in the Lord”.

Lord, help me today to pass the tests of faith that you will allow into my life. Enable me to stay focused on You and not on the statistics or facts around me. Build my home and help me to live my life in such a way that others looking in would clearly see that we trust in You.

In Him ~


You can read more from Tammy at Steps In Our Journey