Faith. By Definition

Words are strange things. Basically they are shortened or condensed versions of what we are trying to say. Think about it. A single word has a meaning (or even multiple meanings) that requires many more words just to explain. Try to imagine what it would be like for us to talk in definitions. Instead of saying "I feel happy today" it would be "I perceive myself to be in a state of mind characterized by or indicative of pleasure." It reminds me of the way Eugene Melsner from the Adventures in Odessey radio show talked. When I am sitting in church here in Botswana and listening to a translator take an English phrase and turn it into understandable Setswana it sometimes seems like they are having to define the English words rather than give a direct word-for-word translation because they use so many words in place of a very few English words, or vice versa. 

I was thinking about words and definitions today as I read Hebrews 11:1, which is basically giving a definition of the word faith. The verse says, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." That right there is a definition of what faith is. And yet, when I read it I am not satisfied. All of my questions about faith are not answered by that. So a word needs a definition and then a definition needs an explanation and the explanation may change depending on the application. See, I told you words were strange things. 

If we keep pressing on into Hebrews 11 after the definition of faith there are many examples of it and how it was applied in the lives of certain Biblical characters. Here is a non-exhaustive list by verse:

2. By faith men gained approval

3. By faith we understand

4. By faith Abel offered a sacrifice

5. By faith Enoch did not see death

7. By faith Noah prepared an ark

8. By faith Abraham obeyed God's calling

11. By faith Sarah received the ability to conceive

17. By faith Abraham offered up Isaac 

29. By faith the Israelites passed through the Red Sea

30. By faith the walls of Jericho fell

So in all of these instances people had confidence in what they hoped for, whether they were hoping for a child or deliverance or victory, and assurance about what they did not see, whether they didn't see how the world could flood or a sea could part or an old womb could be opened. Sounds simple enough. I think the problem comes with the definitions of confidence and assurance. Confidence means "full trust" and assurance means "full confidence" or "full full trust" if you will. That is a lot of trust. It leaves NO room for doubt. Zero. Zilch. Nada. And that, my friend, is not so simple - as least not for me. 

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:6 ESV)

Desolate

The word desolate has a few different meanings. It can mean barren, solitary, forlorn, dismal, or deserted. To me, this picture of a salt pan in Botswana looks desolate. There is nothing but hard packed dirt for as far as the eye can see in places like this. 

Sometimes my spirit feels desolate. If a heart surgeon were to open me up at times like that he might not find anything but hard packed dirt inside (or maybe not). But seriously, there are moments and places in our lives where we feel solitary, dismal, or deserted. Perhaps it's because of how someone we love has treated us. Perhaps it's because of circumstances that always seem to be going against us and beating us down. Perhaps it is even because we are not allowing the Holy Spirit to well up inside of us with a spring of living water like He promised. The only chance a desert has of getting any greenery to sprout up or plants to take root is if it gets sufficient water. Likewise, it is the living water of Jesus which is our only hope for growth and life. 

So whenever I see a desert I think "Wow, this place could use some water." Then when I see a person with a parched soul I think "Wow, this person needs Jesus to give them new life." But let's not fool ourselves. I can become a parched soul too if I quench the Spirit as 1 Thessalonians 5:19 talks about. An occasional rain in the desert does no real good. It takes good steady rains that come consistently for a long time to bring about any change to desolate salt pans. I also need consistent time in God's Word and in prayer with Him to be the fruitful follower that He wants me to be. 

Instead of living in desolation, I choose to dwell in the land of milk and honey - the only oasis in this dry and dying world.