Everyone willing to follow the Lord is supposed to have listened in some way to this seemingly imperious command: “Come!” a command which implies an act of faith, referred to sometimes as the “leap of faith.” As it is clear from the Scriptures, what we are able to see is not faith, as the biblical faith is defined as : “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” We have to decide “in spite of”’, in order to experience the power of God. But we need to remember that everything must be done according the Word of God. Peter did not experience the possibility to walk on water because he decided to leave the boat but because of the Word, the Command of the Lord.
The Word of God tell us to “expect to suffer hardship” and dishonor for the sake of His Name. Our Christian confession is not acceptable if we ignore this statement, if we do not manifest the patience of the Lord in our sufferings. Anybody ignoring it will be ashamed in that day.
Let us remember that sometimes the leap of faith leads us towards some impasses. Just as the Word led the sons of Israel leaving Egypt toward the impasse of the Red sea. These impasses are midway between promises of God and their fulfillments and they challenge our faith. Believers are to accept these challenges as a part of their spiritual course. The Son was challenged at Calvary in the hardest way, as it is written in the Scriptures….
This just moved me to tears. Yes, indeed, God’s word does sometimes lead to an impasse. Faith still believes in the goodness of God and in his power to triumph no matter what. This letter is a powerful witness and challenge to the Church. Thank you for the post.
I feel so humbled and utterly unworthy after reading this.
Prayers ascending.
Our prayers at Eucharist and daily for Pastor Youcef since we learned of this! They continue. And in Pastor Youcef they are being answered. What a moving testimony to faith in God. May his family be sustained and protected by the Mercy as well.
If only more pastors in this country walked as close to God as this man obviously does.
Re: Peter did not experience the possibility to walk on water because he decided to leave the boat but because of the Word, the Command of the Lord.
I hope this will be embedded in my memory for all the right reasons! Wonderful!
Kendall, thanks so much for posting this wonderful letter. I’ve excerpted it at Lent & Beyond this a.m. (with a hat tip to T19, of course!)
In the process of posting the letter at L&B, I discovered that there has been a call for a month of prayer & advocacy for Pastor Yousef from March 12 – April 12.
Prayer points and other information can be found here:
http://www.csw.org.uk/nadarkhani
This put me on my knees.
The man is in prison, yet he sends us this gift of wisdom.
God is blessing him and through him us, as he travels St Paul’s path.
God be with and save Pastor Nadarkhani.
God be with him and God humble my heart so that I may know how unworthy I am to be called Christian in the company of such men.