I know that about half of you could care less about the pictures I put up with my posts, but I have learned that a picture really is worth a thousand words. For that half of you who really only look at the pictures, here you go. The pictures really do connect with the content of the post and as you look at this picture, I hope that you will gain a better understanding of what I'm trying to relate in this post.
The word, "substance" really makes me think about food. My wife cares for me deeply and buys me rice cakes to snack on in-between meals. The idea of snacking on low calorie food during the lull between smorgasbords is to sort of prime your appetite for eating normal portions when it comes to dinner time. Faith is nothing like rice cakes. I think the spiritual equivalent of rice cakes is probably more along the lines of doubt and disillusion. While eating a rice cake, I'm thinking, "I really hope lunch has more substance than this." and I start to get depressed about my dining life.
Here is where hope comes in. As I walk to the fridge, I see that we have all the makings of a very nice sandwich of substance. The refrigerator is literally full of promise. No, I don't have a sandwich in my hands yet, but because I have the promise and I know that it is "real", I have hope for lunch not being a grand disappointment.
Is anybody getting this? If not, just go back and look at the picture again and maybe Jesus will tell you something that I can't.
"Faith is the substance of things hoped for".
Perhaps we could word it like this?
"Lunch is what yo have waiting in the fridge, not the rice cake you are snacking on at 9am."
How is this a strong divine weapon? Well, when you suddenly have guests for lunch that were unexpected and you go to the fridge and you only have rice cakes , it will make more sense to you. (Don't ask me why anyone would keep them in the fridge, just stay with me here.)
The phrase, "We walk by faith, not by sight" has taken on meaning for us that we translate as, "We believe that our rice cakes are big sandwiches full of meat." NO!!!!!! I have hope for my lunch being more than rice cakes because my fridge has "substance" in it. I am not relying on what I see in my hand at 9am, I am counting on what "I Know" is provided for me in the fridge. How do I know? 'Cause I went and looked and I saw it in there.
How do we know that God will be real for us when we are in need? Because we have been in His presence; we have seen His storehouse and we know it is real. It really is not this mysterious magical thing that just poofs into existence. Faith is substance. Faith is real. Faith is a fridge full of sandwich fixings. You don't need to hope God in to existence. You have hope because He does exist.
Lots of seemingly random thoughts, I know. Just go back and look at the picture. That sandwich will tear down strongholds of hunger because it is real.
Bless you tri-state! You are a city of refuge. Begin to prepare yourself for those in need of that refuge. It is coming.
Love, Dave
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